Let us see how much is included in the phrase “that which is born
of the flesh.” All that I inherit from the parents who beget me—such
things as affection, talent, cleverness, gentleness, humbleness, love,
peace, determination, and patience—these all, and more, come with
my natural birth. Whatever I have before the new birth, and no
matter how lovely it is viewed in human eyes, is included by the
words of the Lord Jesus as being in this realm: that “ that which is
born of the flesh is flesh.” For this reason, we need to ask ourselves
whether all that we have after new birth is born of God. Or does that
which I have still include that which is born of the flesh? Let us not
reason that only the sins and uncleannesses of the flesh need to be
eliminated, whereas natural gentleness, patience, loving-kindness,
cleverness, and talent can all be retained and carried over without
ever being born anew of God. Who among us truly recognizes that
all which we inherit from the first—that is to say, from that which is
of the flesh—must be denied and laid down? Let us humbly
acknowledge that only what comes from believing in the Lord Jesus,
from trusting in God, and from appropriating through the Holy Spirit
is acceptable and pleasing to God.