Regeneration

One of the neatest things in nature for me is the abilities of a lizard. If a lizard loses its tail it will eventually grow a new one. My friend down the road from me growing up wanted to test this theory once, as we found a lizard without at a tail. SO he took it home and fed it(I'm not sure what) and kept it in a little aquarium for a few weeks and sure enough it did just that, it grew a knew tale. That facinated me at the ability to do such a thing in what seems to be a very simple animal.
How about us, how about our regeneration and the ability of Jesus CHrist through the Holy Spirit to regenerate us, seemingly dead and sinful animals into what we were created to be. Full, righteous worshippers of God the Father.
But when God, who set me apart from birtt, and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man. Galatians 1:15-16
We cannot be regenerated until we realize our need for it. God could have made this as automatic as walking, talking, growing, or even our heartbeats and thoughts. Those things which we do without even thinking about it, He could have made regeneration the same way. But in that setting what good would it do, how meaninful would it be?
Regeneration occurs when we realize we need it, and when we finally admit to our sinfulness and unworthiness. Because, as Paul puts it, we are set apart from birth and called by His grace. It is God's grace that saves us, He knowingly allowed His Son to die on the cross for our sins knowing that we are sinners and will continue to be sinners. Paul is also saying that there is no real consultation needed from the point we admit our sinfulness and our need for Christ in our lives. He says he consulted no man, he fully understood this was between him and God.
That is one of my strongest convictions as a pastor, that we allow people to make their own decisions and never question them. BEcause, in reality the only people who know are themselves and GOd, we can have no part in it, and it is not up to a Pastor to lead people to Christ. IT is up to a pastor to plant seeds, to give every opportunity for believers to grown and unbelievers to experience Christ, but ultimately it is up to God to change their hearts.
So keep on planting seeds, and praying for God to regenerate the hearts of those lost ones we are working so hard to reach.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!