Regeneration leads to illumination. It may be all at once; it may be in stages. Regeneration therefore takes hold of the mind. I understand my need more and more fully. I understand the gospel and how Christ has paid for my salvation more and more fully. Regeneration captures the heart. My heart is moved, but the more clearly I see it, the more deeply I am moved, and I give myself wholly and unreservedly to him. Regeneration captures the will. Now I give up my worldly entertainments, and I give up my worldly, selfish, self-seeking ambitions, and I give up my sinful indulgences. Now the will is strong and in line with the mind and the heart. And that's the picture we derive, the parallel that we derive from this healing.
Well, when I repent, then comes the touch of power and I am assured of salvation and I know he has worked in my heart. I have exercised faith in him. I have trusted him. I have believed his promise and then I come to complete awareness that I am a child of God and that he is my Saviour and I love him. I am saved; I am assured. That is often how it is. Sometimes people are saved and assured in one and the same act, but so often there is a period when you long and hope, and then you become certain and Christ assures your heart. The touch of power. You know you have the new nature, communion with God and heaven is yours.
Are you truly saved? If you are, are you serious? Is your life for the Lord? There is a battle: the world against the church, Satan against the message of Christ. I am going to stand for the Lord, propagate the word, defend the faith, keep out worldliness, live for him. Are you serious, or do you yet not understand? Do you live for the cause of Christ, who is everything to us?