Have you ever wondered what truly happens the moment you believe in the Gospel?
Many Christians live confused about their spiritual identity, unsure of whether they’re truly saved or what their relationship with God actually looks like.
Perhaps you’ve heard terms like “justification” and “regeneration” thrown around in sermons, but you’re not entirely sure what they mean or how they work together in your salvation.
Here’s the beautiful truth: when you placed your faith in Christ’s finished work, something miraculous and instantaneous happened.
You didn’t just receive forgiveness—you received an entirely new life. You were regenerated, born again into God’s family, and simultaneously justified—declared righteous and holy before God.
These aren’t processes you work toward; they’re completed realities you stepped into the moment you believed.
In this bible teaching, we’ll explore the biblical meaning of regeneration and justification, how they relate to each other, and what this means for your daily walk with Christ.
Understanding these truths will transform how you see yourself and give you confidence in your relationship with God.
What is the Biblical meaning of Regeneration?
Regeneration in Greek is “paliggenesia” which means “new birth“, “renewal“, “recreation“, “production of a new life consecrated to God“, “restoration of things to its pristine state“, “as a renewal or restoration of life after death“, and “spiritual rebirth“.
From the Bible verses we’ll examine, we can say that regeneration is the new birth you receive when you believe the Gospel while justification is freedom from guilt and shame by being declared righteous and holy.
See it this way: Salvation is invitation to regeneration which is also the “new birth” while within or inside salvation, one of the offshoots is justification, just like we have explained the difference between justification and righteousness and the difference between sanctification and justification.
Let’s look at what Scripture tells us about this miraculous transformation:
Matthew 19:28 – “And Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Titus 3:5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
The Context of Regeneration in Matthew 19
In Matthew 19:16-21, Jesus was talking about trusting in God’s grace versus trusting in the Law of Moses to get saved.
He was simply informing the rich man that his good works aren’t enough to receive eternal life.
Hence Jesus made the statement: “it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” He wasn’t saying a rich man cannot enter heaven, for God doesn’t determine who becomes rich or poor.
Instead, he was saying that no amount of good works or riches can give men eternal life or regeneration but trusting in the sacrifice of God who became a man.
How do I know this? Read Matthew 19:25—the disciples when they heard this statement asked Jesus, “Who then can be saved?”
You can see, Jesus was speaking in respect to salvation and in verse 26 he ended with: “With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible”—which means salvation is ONLY POSSIBLE WITH THE HELP OF GOD. ONLY GOD IS INVOLVED, NOT MAN.
Men have nothing to do with it. Salvation and regeneration is all of God and is possible with God alone!
Matthew 19:27—Peter asked Jesus, what is the reward for following you seeing we have forsaken everything?
Then Jesus answered in verse 28, saying “in the regeneration”—which means in the new life or in the new birth—when you are with me in the immaterial realm, you shall sit with me and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
You can see that flesh and blood can’t receive this new regenerated life from God.
You must receive the Gospel of salvation and then you will be regenerated instantly, and when Jesus appears, you will meet with him in glory.
The Power of Regeneration
Regeneration grants us access into God’s glory. One day the earth will pass away and we will have a new earth and heaven, which we can say they will also been regenerated at the coming of the Messiah—Jesus.
Titus 3:5 tells us how we got regenerated: Not by our human works or efforts but by the mercy of God.
Believing in the Gospel, our sins were washed away and instantly we received the Holy Spirit of promise—that abides with us forever.
Nicodemus and the New Birth
Furthermore, did you remember when Nicodemus, a renowned Pharisee, came to Jesus by night and asked how can one enter the Kingdom of God? In other words, he was asking how can he be regenerated?
Jesus told him to get born again which can only come by when he will be crucified, then the blessing that comes out of this message of crucifixion—which we call the Gospel—is what is known as regeneration. John 3:1-19 details this powerful conversation.
The moment we believe in the Gospel, we instantly have eternal life. This isn’t a future promise you’re working toward—it’s a present reality you possess right now if you’ve believed in Christ’s finished work.
Regeneration by the word of God
Regeneration by the word of God means the Word of God having an effect in our lives positively through reading and meditating on God’s Word.
The knowledge we get from God’s Word and with the indwelling Spirit transforms us by constantly looking into God’s Word.
The Word of God tells or shows us our true identity of the new birth: what we have, what we can do, who God is to us. All blessings we have in the new creation are detailed in God’s Word.
1 Peter 1:23 says it all: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
This verse reveals something profound: the agent of our regeneration is the incorruptible Word of God.
Unlike natural birth that comes from corruptible seed (human reproduction), spiritual birth comes through an incorruptible seed—the eternal, living Word of God.
How God’s Word Facilitates Regeneration
The Gospel message—the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection—is the specific Word that brings regeneration.
When you hear and believe this message, the Holy Spirit uses it to birth new life within you.
This is why Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Word doesn’t just inform us about regeneration; it’s the very instrument God uses to regenerate us.
Living in Light of Your Regeneration
Once regenerated, the Word continues to renew your mind and transform your thinking. It reveals your new identity in Christ, showing you:
- Who you are as God’s child
- What you possess in Christ
- The authority and power available to you
- God’s heart and nature toward you
- How to walk in the fullness of what Christ provided
This is why regular engagement with Scripture is vital—not to earn God’s favor or maintain your salvation, but to renew your mind to the reality of what’s already true about you in Christ.
Are Regeneration and Sanctification the same?
Regeneration is the new birth we receive after receiving the Gospel of salvation while sanctification is one of the gifts of salvation which is a declaration that we are holy, free from guilt and righteous.
In simple words, regeneration comes before sanctification. Regeneration is the root while sanctification is one of the branches of what regeneration brings.
Without regeneration there is no sanctification.
Understanding the Relationship
Think of it this way: regeneration is the door you walk through when you believe in Christ. It’s your entrance into new life. Sanctification is one of the many gifts waiting for you on the other side of that door.
You cannot be sanctified (set apart as holy) without first being regenerated (born again). The new birth creates the foundation upon which all other salvation benefits rest, including:
- Justification (declared righteous)
- Sanctification (declared holy)
- Redemption (purchased and freed)
- Reconciliation (brought into relationship with God)
Each of these is a distinct gift that comes packaged within the salvation you received through regeneration.
They’re not separate experiences you must seek or earn—they’re simultaneous realities that became yours the moment you believed.
Progressive Justification
There is no biblical reference that supports the term “progressive justification.” Justification is not progressive; it is instant. It is what you receive in the new birth when you believe in the Gospel of salvation.
Justification is our new status of righteousness because we are in Christ. It is not what we get tomorrow or lose. Justification is a gift of salvation.
Why This Matters
Many Christians live under the false belief that they’re becoming more justified over time as they grow in their Christian walk.
This creates an exhausting treadmill of performance where you’re never quite sure if you’re “justified enough” in God’s eyes.
But here’s the liberating truth: you are as justified today as you will ever be. The moment you believed in Christ, God declared you righteous—completely, fully, perfectly righteous.
Your justification isn’t based on your performance but on Christ’s performance on your behalf.
Romans 5:1 declares: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice the tense—”being justified”—it’s a completed action with continuing results.
The Danger of Progressive Justification Teaching
When churches teach progressive justification which is an example of a false doctrine (even inadvertently), believers end up:
- Living with constant insecurity about their standing with God
- Focusing on their performance rather than Christ’s finished work
- Experiencing guilt and condemnation instead of the peace justification provides
- Missing the joy and freedom that comes from knowing you’re fully accepted
Your justification was settled at the cross and applied to you the moment you believed.
It’s not growing, improving, or becoming more complete—it IS complete because it rests entirely on what Christ accomplished, not on what you’re accomplishing.
Which comes first, Justification or Regeneration?
Regeneration comes first before justification. Regeneration precedes justification because you will need to get saved first—”the new birth”—then within this new birth or regeneration status you receive the gift of justification.
Understanding the Order
Here’s the beautiful sequence of what happens when you believe:
- You hear and believe the Gospel – The message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for your sins
- Regeneration occurs instantly – You are born again, receiving new spiritual life
- Justification is applied – Within that regeneration, God declares you righteous and holy
- The Holy Spirit indwells you – You receive the Spirit as a seal and guarantee
- All salvation benefits become yours – Including sanctification, redemption, adoption, and more
Think of regeneration as the package of salvation being delivered to you, and justification as one of the precious gifts inside that package. You can’t open the gift without first receiving the package.
Why the Order Matters
Understanding that regeneration precedes justification helps you grasp that:
- Salvation is a comprehensive transformation, not just a legal declaration
- Your new birth creates the foundation for all other spiritual realities
- You’re not just forgiven—you’re made completely new
- Your identity has fundamentally changed from spiritually dead to spiritually alive
2 Corinthians 5:17 captures this perfectly: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
This verse speaks to regeneration—you’re a new creation. And within this new creation reality, you stand justified (righteous), sanctified (holy), and fully accepted before God.
The Practical Impact
When you understand that regeneration comes first, you stop trying to:
- Earn your justification through good behavior – You’re already justified because you’re regenerated
- Maintain your salvation through performance – Your new birth isn’t dependent on your works
- Prove yourself worthy to God – He made you worthy through regeneration
Instead, you live from the reality of what’s already true: you’re born again, declared righteous, made holy, and completely accepted in Christ.
Your daily life becomes a response to grace rather than an attempt to earn it.
Walking in the Reality of Your Regeneration and Justification
Now that you understand what regeneration and justification are and how they work together, the question becomes: how do you live in light of these truths?
Renew Your Mind Daily
Romans 12:2 instructs us: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Your regeneration and justification are settled facts, but your thinking needs to catch up to your new reality. This happens as you meditate on God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal who you are in Christ.
Rest in the Finished Work
Stop striving to become something you already are. You’re not working toward justification—you’re justified. You’re not trying to be regenerated—you’re already born again.
Hebrews 4:10 reminds us: “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” This rest comes from understanding that Christ’s work is finished and your salvation is complete.
Let Your Behavior Flow from Your Identity
Your good works and obedience don’t create your righteousness—they flow from it. You don’t obey to become justified; you obey because you ARE justified.
Ephesians 2:10 explains: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Notice the order—first created (regenerated), then good works follow.
Share the Gospel with Confidence
When you understand that regeneration and justification come through believing the Gospel—not through human effort or religious performance—you can share the good news with clarity and confidence.
People don’t need to clean up their lives to get saved. They need to hear and believe the Gospel, and regeneration (with all its benefits including justification) will happen instantly by God’s power alone.
Conclusion
Regeneration and justification are two of the most precious gifts you received the moment you believed in Christ.
Regeneration is your new birth—the fundamental transformation from spiritual death to spiritual life.
Justification is your new legal standing—declared righteous and holy before God, free from all guilt and shame.
These aren’t processes you’re working through or goals you’re striving toward. They’re completed realities you stepped into through faith in Christ’s finished work.
You are as regenerated and as justified today as you will ever be, not because of anything you’ve done, but because of everything Christ has done.
Stop performing for God and start resting in what He’s already accomplished. Your salvation isn’t dependent on your effort—it’s secured by His grace.
You’re born again, declared righteous, and fully accepted. Now live in the freedom and joy of these truths.
Ready to go deeper? Explore more about how to work in your identity in Christ and the fullness of what salvation provides. Understanding these truths will transform how you relate to God and walk in daily victory.
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
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