Another interesting question.
I don't think I'd ever questioned my participation on my fleshly birth. (probably just a wriggle this way or that).
And as for spiritual birth, that's an even more interesting concept if comparing it with the fleshly version in mind. (I have the feeling that the physical attributes of fleshly birth aren't relevant, but will continue to ponder it and will pray about it).
Meanwhile...
You already mentioned 3 things that sound like they require our involvement in spiritual birth... repentance, confession, belief. My list might be a little different, but I believe our willingness to submit to (comply with) the prerequisites seems fairly necessary.
(Just replying to this quote so far. I haven't read the newer postings yet.)
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
I think it was your MOM'S body that did ALL the work to birth you. SHE was the one in labor pains and pushed to birth you. You are the result of HER work and efforts. And we all know you didn't have anything to do with your conception as well! lol
SAME as your Spiritual Birth. You were nothing. DEAD. UNABLE to conceive yourself.
Matthew 8:22 New King James Version (NKJV)
22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Obviously Jesus wasn't talking about a physically dead person having the ability to bury another physically dead person.
Ephesians 2:1 King James Version (KJV)
2 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
So this is the position we are in:
1 Corinthians 2:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
UNTIL!!!!! The Father reaches out and rescues the person by...
John 6:44 New King James Version (NKJV)
44 NO ONE can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me
DRAWS him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
THEN, it is the LORD that enables us to believe by giving us the faith to believe in Him:
Ephesians 2:8-9 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved
through faith,
AND THAT(the faith) not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Culminating in your Spiritual Birth by believing THE Gospel unto Salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Being filled AND sealed by the Holy Spirit AT THE TIME OF THIS BIRTH:
Ephesians 1:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 In Him you also
trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
So seeing how it was the Lord that rescued you from your dead state, conceiving you, drawing you to Him in labor pains, through patience, giving you the faith by which you were born, and putting His Holy Spirit in you at that time, I ask again, what participation did you have in your Spiritual Birth?