142 A New Existence

A New Existence, by J. C. Ryle Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3, verse 3. To be born again is, as it were, to enter upon a new existence, to have a new mind, a new heart, new views, new principles, new tastes, new affections, new likings, new dislikings, new fears, new joys, new sorrows, new love to things once hated, new hatred to things once loved, new thoughts of God, of ourselves, of the world, of the life to come, of salvation. He who has been born again is a new man, a new creature, for old things are passed away. He receives an utterly new bias and direction. All things have become new. It is the implanting of a new principle, which will surely bear good fruit. It is opening the eyes of the blind, unstopping the ears of the deaf, loosing the tongue of the dumb, giving hands and feet to the maimed and lame. For he that is born again no longer allows his members to be instruments and servants of unrighteousness, but he gives them unto God, and then only are they properly employed. You must be born again. John 3 verse 7.