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True Christianity # 571

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571. Chapter 10: Reformation and Regeneration

Now that repentance has been treated, the next topic in order is our reformation and regeneration. These two both follow our repentance and are moved forward by it.

There are two states that we all inevitably enter into and go through if we are to turn from an earthly person into a spiritual person. The first state is called reformation, the second is called regeneration. In the first state we look from our earthly self toward having a spiritual self; being spiritual is what we long for. In the second state we become someone who is both spiritual and earthly. The first state is brought about by truths (these have to be truths related to faith); through these truths we aim to develop goodwill. The second state is brought about by good actions that come from goodwill; through these actions we come [more deeply] into truths related to faith.

To put it another way, the first state is a state of thought that occurs in our intellect; the second state is a state of love that occurs in our will. As the second state begins and progresses, a change takes place in our minds. There is a reversal, because then the love in our will flows into our intellect and leads and drives it to think in agreement and harmony with what we love. As good actions that come from love take on a primary role, and the truths related to faith are relegated to a secondary role, we become spiritual and are a new creation [2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15]. Then our actions come from goodwill and our words come from faith; we develop a sense of the goodness that comes from goodwill and a perception of the truth that is related to faith; and we are in the Lord and in a state of peace. In brief, we are reborn.

[2] If we begin the first state while we are in this world, we can be brought into the second state after we die. If we do not begin the first state while we are in this world, we cannot be brought into the second state or be reborn after we die.

These two states can be compared to the increase of light and heat that occurs as the day progresses in springtime. The first state is like the early light before dawn, when the rooster crows. The second state is like the dawn and the morning. The further development within the second state is like the increase of light and heat as the day progresses toward noon.

These two states can also be compared with the growth of grain crops. In the first stage they are like grass; after that they develop ears or fruiting spikes; and finally the grain itself grows within those structures.

These two states can also be compared with the growth of a tree. It begins as a sprout growing out of a seed in the ground. This then becomes a shoot. Then branches form and are adorned with leaves. Then the tree blossoms and fruit begins to grow in the heart of the flowers. As the fruit grows and develops, it produces new seeds, which are in effect the tree's offspring.

The first state, the state of reformation, can be compared to the state of a silkworm when it draws silky threads out of itself and wraps itself in them. After all its hard work [of transformation], it becomes able to fly in the air and feeds no longer on leaves as before but on the nectar of flowers.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for the permission to use this translation.

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Galatians 6:15

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15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

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Scriptural Confirmations # 85

  
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85. 3. That we are the sons of God through Christ, and thus heirs (Galatians 4:4-7).

Exult, O barren, thou that didst not bear (Isaiah 54:1; Galatians 4:19-27).

The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17).

The works of the flesh and the works of the spirit are enumerated (Galatians 5:17-23).

They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the passions and lusts. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit (Galatians 5:24-25).

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature (Galatians 6:15).

As any man soweth, so shall he reap (Galatians 6:7-10).

Ye are saved through faith, not by works, lest any one should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Jesus Christ unto good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Through Christ [all the building] groweth into a holy temple in the Lord: and is builded for a habitation of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Ye ought to put off the old man and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22, 24).

Ye were once darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as sons of light (Ephesians 5:8).

Be ye strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the armor of God for this, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For us the contest is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, etc. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10-13, 17).

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him (Titus 1:16).

God saves us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit; which He poured out on us through Jesus Christ; that being justified by His grace, we might be heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7).

That they who are fully regenerated, if they shall fall away, cannot again be regenerated (Hebrews 6:4-8).

That He will inscribe the law in their heart, etc. (Hebrews 8:10-11; 10:16).

The heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22-23).

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.