Regeneration - mankind's only hope

Some people hold a Walt Disney theology where Christ and their need for him is concerned – everyone seems to think you are a “good person” (and just between you and me, you quite agree). So why drag Christ into all of this. The humanists are therefore content to preach “mere morality” – be a “good” person (whatever that means) – and hope that things will get better.

Well they won’t. “Mere morality” misses the mark. The command which the LORD gave the to Israelites, also applies to us: “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy” (Lev. 19:2, NIV). This is what the Old Testament prophets and Christ aimed at. Holiness is infinitely greater than “mere morality.” For where there is true holiness, what we call “good, decent” behaviour will almost become second nature. The thing is, there can be no holiness without repentance. And I can think of no better definition of repentance than this old children’s hymn: Repentance is to leave the sins we loved before; And show that we in earnest grieve, By doing so no more.

No doubt the secular humanists will continue with their futile attempts to moralize society. But if we are truly serious about changing our society, we will have to work from the inside out. We have to admit and deal with the fact that the heart of mankind is desperately wicked. No economic, political or social theory will suffice. Man (no matter how highly he thinks of himself) is utterly lost without Christ. So, “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:7, NIV).