Born again people are no longer dominated by Satan and sin. Instead, they are born again to a new life with God as their new Lord, who ultimately rules over them. This rule of God as our new Lord, who liberates us from Satan and sin to live in freedom and joy, is the first benefit of regeneration, and it establishes the grounds upon which all the other benefits are possible. First John 5:18 says, “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
Practically, this means that regenerated people, at their deepest level, know and celebrate the fact that they belong to God. They desire to live in such a way that honors God. I recently spoke with a new Christian who had made some major changes in her life, such as moving out of her boyfriend’s apartment, stopping her drug use, and joining a Bible study, and when I asked why, she said, “I belong to God now, so I’m living for Him.”
Among the wondrous benefits of having Jesus as a new Lord is that other previous and competing lords are dethroned. False lords such as self, Satan, sin, or the approval and rule of someone else do not love, serve, and liberate as Jesus does (e.g., an abusive boyfriend, ungrateful spouse, discouraging parent).
Who, or what, is most often in competition to be lord of your life?