By definition 'regeneration' is taking something that already exists and recreating it. Biblically speaking, it is an act of God in which He imparts 'newness of life' ...
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. (Titus 3:5-6)
The phrase 'washing of regeneration' is connected to Christ's compelling statement to Nicodemus ...
Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again'. (John 3:5-7)
Spurgeon - With all the strength you have, you can never regenerate your own soul; you can never cause yourself to be born again. And though the new birth is absolutely necessary, it is absolutely impossible unless the Spirit of God does it.
Evidence of your 'rebirth' may come gradually (progressive sanctification), but regeneration was received instantly ... a singular point in time when your walk of faith began; that moment when condemnation turned to acceptance in the Beloved.
Spurgeon - We are not what we ought to be, we are not what we want to be, we are not what we shall be. But we are something very different from what we used to be.
The Lord's act of 'regeneration' is what kickstarted your journey of faith, and ... He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Find comfort in that, pilgrim.
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