Born Again and the Bible
Salvation depends upon being born again. Jesus said, "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
Being born again spiritually is just as much a step by step process as physical conception, gestation, birth, growth, and development. It is a gradual process that involves a complete change of character.
"If any one be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:5) Rebirth involves new knowledge, new habits, new activities, new loves, and new awareness of the Lord.
Rebirth takes place through gradual education, study and enlightenment. Jesus said,
"If you continue in My Word,...the truth shall make you free." (John 15:3)
Anyone who is in the habit of doing or thinking evil things is living the "old" life, and is incapable of the genuine goodness of the person who has overcome them.
"Can the leopard change its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil." (Jeremiah 13:23)
Receiving the new life requires fighting against the old habits.
"Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die? ...Turn and live!" (Ezekiel 18:21,31,32)
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean, put away the evil of your doing from My eyes! Cease to do evil, learn to do good."
(Isaiah 1:16) This kind of repentance cannot take place merely by praying for forgiveness. It requires a struggle, an ongoing battle to overcome the old ways of life.
Eventually, through constant effort, God gives us such power over our habits that we no longer would think of doing something evil. When this time finally comes, we can be called "born again."
"Whoever is born of God does not commit sin.... He cannot sin, because he is born of God."
(1 John 3:9)
"Whatever is born of God overcomes the world.... We know that whoever is born of God does not sin, but he who is born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him."
(1 John 5:4,18)
Along with new habits come new activities. A person who neglects to be useful cannot be born again, and cannot go to heaven. Jesus indicated that some Christians would not be saved because they lacked good works.
"Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in the heavens." (Matthew 7:21) In one of His parables, Jesus told of some people who would go into everlasting punishment, not because they had lacked faith, but because they had failed to help people who were in need. (Matthew 25:41-46)
A person who is born again is concerned for others, and orients his life around the work he can do to help others.
"Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead... A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone."
(James 3:17,24)
John makes it very clear that only those who love others can receive the new life:
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." (1 John 3:14)
"Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:7,8)
In the process of rebirth we come to realize that it is the Lord working within us that enables us to work, believe, struggle, and love. These abilities are His merciful gift. He says,
"I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you...and cause you to walk in my statutes."
(Ezekiel 36:26, 27)
In order to be reborn we must renew our knowledge, habits, actions, loves and relationship with the Lord. All this takes time, even a lifetime. Just as childbirth and growth require patience and endurance, so does being born again.
"In your patience you will possess
your souls."
(Luke
21:19)
"Whoever endures to the end shall
be saved." (Matthew 10:22) God will give eternal life to those who seek it
"by patient continuance in doing good." (Romans 2:7)
We cannot expect to be born again in a single moment. Again and again, the Bible advises steadfastness and endurance if we wish to gain the promise of heaven.
"It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lamentations 3:26,27) For although it takes time, if we do our part, the Lord will certainly make it happen.
"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
(Psalm 37:5,7)5
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