What Does "Born Again" Mean?
The term 'Born Again' conjures up many questions. Does it literally imply being born? How could one ever be 'born again?' Jesus was even asked this question by a teacher of the Biblical Law:
...Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" John 3:3-4
'Born Again' is used synonymously with 'Saved', or perhaps someone refers to themselves as a 'Born Again Christian.' Both of these are correct when properly understood. The first time a person is born, he is born into this world with a body of flesh. The Born Again experience that Jesus is talking about refers to the 'spiritual' birth of a person. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, one of the persons in the Trinity. Let's look at His answer to Nicodemus:
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." Matthew 3:5-6
It has become quite a popular phrase lately: there are popular songs that sing the praises of a true love that has caused the lover to be 'born again; there are fitness programs promising to make you 'born again,' and there is even a shampoo that advertises that one of its benefits of use is to be 'born again.' The implication in all of this implies a change. And in fact the Christian Born Again experience is precisely that: a Change of Life!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
How Do I Become 'Born Again?' One becomes 'Born Again' in the same manner as one becomes Christian (since they are synonymous terms), by placing trust in Jesus as the Christ to reconcile us to God, and in the process Sanctifies us by the Holy Spirit to His likeness.
How Do I Know I Am 'Born Again?' The evidences of being 'Born Again are therefore the same evidences of being 'Christian.' The change in spirit presents a new focus; now we are no longer concerned with what makes ourselves happy, but with what makes God and Jesus our Lord happy.
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Romans 8:5
These Spiritual desires can be explained in a new position for God in our lives (at the center - our purpose,) as well as the Results (Fruits) of the Spirit that is now within us (again, the same things we would expect of a Christian when they exhibit the evidences of the Spirit-filled life):
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 5:22-23a
To the contrary, consider how the things of God appear to someone who is not 'Born Again':
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14
In summary, the 'Born Again' experience is succinctly described by the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, and is synonymous with the Christian experience:
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24
'Born Again' is an expression of the transformation a Christian experiences upon becoming a Christian. Its evidences are seen in the changes in priorities, and in the process of Sanctification (spiritual maturity) in the Christian's life.
WhyIBelieve.Org Ministries Copyright Pending 2002 M. Sutherland |
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