Born a Christian or a Born Again Christian?
|
For the past several summers in Southern California, the Harvest Crusade, with Greg Laurie as the evangelist, has been held in Anaheim Stadium (now Edison Field) home of the California Angels baseball team. The angels in heaven have celebrated mega times more than the California Angels as thousands have experienced the forgiveness of Christ and have received Him into their life during the crusade.
The Harvest Crusade produced a promotional brochure which asked the question, "Are you a Christian?" At first glance, the results appeared encouraging.
|
Four Types of Soil and
Four Types of Human Hearts Mark 4:4-20 Hard Soil: Their heart is hardened, and Satan snatches the seed once it is sown. Rocky Soil: They receive the Word with initial joy but since there is no root, the seed withers and dies when problems come. Thorny Soil: The seed grows in their heart, but the weeds (cares and worries of the world) choke the Word making it unfruitful. Good Soil: They hear the word, accept it, and grow. |
It would appear most Americans are Christians, and we are a Christian nation. However, the facts argue otherwise in these disturbing statistics.
Born Again by the Word of God
Is the born again experience a moment of mental euphoria or a heightened mystical experience? Is it simply being refocused and starting over with new resolve? What occurs when a person is born again? Let's look at the Word of God for authoritative perspective on what it means to be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus,
"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. . . . You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again'" (John 3:3, 7 NIV).
Peter adds this insight about being born again.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. . . . For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:3, 23 NIV).
The born again experience is supernaturally accomplished by God as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Word of God being planted in a human life. A born again person is radically changed by God from the inside out. This is a life-changing relationship with the living God through Christ. This is entirely of God, and not from human effort. Here are crucial facts regarding the work God does in the human heart through the new birth.
1. Being born again is not a warm, fuzzy mystical experience.
I have heard sincere individuals describe the born again experience this way: "When a person is deeply moved by the grandeur of a mountain or the awe of a sunset or a majestic work of art, this is the born again experience." Not so! This may be a moving, inspiring experience, but it is not the born again experience.
2. Being born again is not something we accomplish.
Sometimes, we get the idea that being born again is something we accomplish on our own. On the contrary, it is a supernatural work of God. True, you must be willing, but the human will does not produce the born again experience. The new birth is accomplished, not by a work of the human will, but by the supernatural work of the Spirit of God.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13 NIV).
3. Being born again is the Word of God planted like a seed in the human heart.
We are born again by the imperishable seed of the "living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:23). Some may hear the Word of God over and over, and yet never respond. Some even say a little prayer, but their life is clearly never changed. Some become religious for a short while, but their character remains unchanged. Some shed tears over the consequences of their life failures, but they continue doing what brought such devastating consequences. Why is this so?
Jesus spoke of four types of soil in Mark 4:4-20 (see the side bar) representing the various conditions of the human heart, and then explains the characteristics of each type of soil.
4. Being born again results in a change in our life character and genuine love for others in the family of God.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13 NIV). The person born of God may sin (1 John 1:9), but the presence of God's seed prevents comfortably continuing in sin without being miserable, desiring to repent and yearning to live a life pleasing to God. The phrase, "continue in sin", is in the present tense indicating an ongoing pattern and habitual manner of living.
The phrase, "Everyone who loves has been born of God", indicates a persistent, genuine love for and desire to be with other believers. It does not mean believers will not have conflict or difficult times. However, a truly born again person will be willing to forgive and seek forgiveness.
5. Being born again is not optional.
Jesus made it exceptionally clear, "You must be born again."
Born Again to Really Live
We are born again to a "living hope". Until you've been born again, you're really missing out on life.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3 NIV).
There are 2 primary words for "live" in the Greek language. One word is "bios" meaning "biological existence." In "bios" everything we call living is in the process of dying. It is all a matter of time. I know what the doctor means if he says, "Your condition is terminal," but why in the world do airlines land and take off from a terminal? That's rather morbid. Human life, "bios" life is fragile, temporary, and ultimately terminal.
The second Greek word is the word "zao" meaning "lively, animated" which is used in 1 Peter 1:3. "Zao" describes resurrection life. When you are born again, you receive "zao" life, now and for all eternity. I am not only living, but I am alive for all eternity.
Born Again into a Wealthy Family
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
When I am born again, I am welcomed into a wealthy family with considerable personal assets. All born again believers receive an inheritance that will never pass away! Your investments are considerable, . . . in fact, you're flat out wealthy. Dad owns it all, and we are joint-heirs with Him. Our investments are hedged against inflation, stock market plunges, and economic collapse.
On Sept. 22, 1984, a 40-year-old drifter was busted for public intoxication and panhandling in Juillard Park in Santa Rosa, California. He was in jail and couldn't even raise $50 for bail money. Police routinely ran his name through a computer check and discovered he was listed as a missing person out of San Jose from 7 years before. He was not wanted for a crime or jumping bail . . . he was wanted because he was wealthy! He was wanted because he was now a millionaire. "He had spent 23 years on the streets, aged by what one jailer called 'hard miles.' His hands trembled, a tooth was missing, his chin covered with a stubbly beard. He suddenly discovered that he was a millionaire." What a shock!
God through Christ adopts us into his family when we were like a 40-year-old drifter with nothing but a missing tooth, stubbly beard, hard miles on the speedometer of life, and a half-wasted life. Suddenly, we discover how much we're worth and that God loves and forgives us and we are incredibly wealthy in Christ.
Born Again into a Secure Future
"Who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5 NIV).
"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:23 NIV).
It is possible to lose your salvation? Can you be unborn again? If you've ever doubted the endurance of your salvation, even when you fall and stumble, lay claim and meditate on the word "imperishable" in 1 Peter 1:23. Imperishable? When God says something is imperishable, He means it cannot and will not die. God's seed, the living Word of God, has caused us to be born again, and God says it is imperishable. When plagued by doubts and fears, anchor into this simple, profound truth of God: born again with imperishable seed!
Pastor Dave Beckwith
Time Out for Personal Growth
Read the Word
Read John 3:1-18; Mark 4:4-20 and 1 Peter 1:3-5, 23.
Refocus for Life
Ask yourself, "Have I been born again?" Of the 4 types of soil, which type best characterizes the condition of your heart? Hard, rocky, thorny, or good soil?
Ask God to run the plow of His Holy Spirit through your life so that the soil of your heart will be soft and pliable.
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you" (Hosea 10:12 NIV).
Record Your Spiritual Journal
Do you have a question as to whether you have been born again? Pray this simple prayer based on John 3:16-17, John 1:12, and 2 Peter 3:9.
Dear God, You loved me so much that You gave your one and only Son, that if I believed in Him I would not perish but have eternal life. I recognize You did not send Jesus to condemn me, but that I would be saved through Him. You do not want me to perish, and I repent of my sins. Today, I receive Christ into my life and believe in Your Name. Thank you for forgiving my sins and receiving me into the family of God as your child.
I prayed this prayer on _____________________ (date)
Signature _____________________________________________
© 2009, Dave Beckwith
- Only 13% of the populace still believe in all 10 of the Biblical commandments
- Nearly one third of all married Americans have had an affair
- 91% lie regularly at work and home
- 86% lie regularly to their parents
- 25% would abandon family
- 23% would become a prostitute for a week
- 7% would kill a stranger
Born Again by the Word of God
Is the born again experience a moment of mental euphoria or a heightened mystical experience? Is it simply being refocused and starting over with new resolve? What occurs when a person is born again? Let's look at the Word of God for authoritative perspective on what it means to be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus,
"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. . . . You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again'" (John 3:3, 7 NIV).
Peter adds this insight about being born again.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. . . . For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:3, 23 NIV).
The born again experience is supernaturally accomplished by God as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Word of God being planted in a human life. A born again person is radically changed by God from the inside out. This is a life-changing relationship with the living God through Christ. This is entirely of God, and not from human effort. Here are crucial facts regarding the work God does in the human heart through the new birth.
1. Being born again is not a warm, fuzzy mystical experience.
I have heard sincere individuals describe the born again experience this way: "When a person is deeply moved by the grandeur of a mountain or the awe of a sunset or a majestic work of art, this is the born again experience." Not so! This may be a moving, inspiring experience, but it is not the born again experience.
2. Being born again is not something we accomplish.
Sometimes, we get the idea that being born again is something we accomplish on our own. On the contrary, it is a supernatural work of God. True, you must be willing, but the human will does not produce the born again experience. The new birth is accomplished, not by a work of the human will, but by the supernatural work of the Spirit of God.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13 NIV).
3. Being born again is the Word of God planted like a seed in the human heart.
We are born again by the imperishable seed of the "living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:23). Some may hear the Word of God over and over, and yet never respond. Some even say a little prayer, but their life is clearly never changed. Some become religious for a short while, but their character remains unchanged. Some shed tears over the consequences of their life failures, but they continue doing what brought such devastating consequences. Why is this so?
Jesus spoke of four types of soil in Mark 4:4-20 (see the side bar) representing the various conditions of the human heart, and then explains the characteristics of each type of soil.
4. Being born again results in a change in our life character and genuine love for others in the family of God.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13 NIV). The person born of God may sin (1 John 1:9), but the presence of God's seed prevents comfortably continuing in sin without being miserable, desiring to repent and yearning to live a life pleasing to God. The phrase, "continue in sin", is in the present tense indicating an ongoing pattern and habitual manner of living.
The phrase, "Everyone who loves has been born of God", indicates a persistent, genuine love for and desire to be with other believers. It does not mean believers will not have conflict or difficult times. However, a truly born again person will be willing to forgive and seek forgiveness.
5. Being born again is not optional.
Jesus made it exceptionally clear, "You must be born again."
Born Again to Really Live
We are born again to a "living hope". Until you've been born again, you're really missing out on life.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3 NIV).
There are 2 primary words for "live" in the Greek language. One word is "bios" meaning "biological existence." In "bios" everything we call living is in the process of dying. It is all a matter of time. I know what the doctor means if he says, "Your condition is terminal," but why in the world do airlines land and take off from a terminal? That's rather morbid. Human life, "bios" life is fragile, temporary, and ultimately terminal.
The second Greek word is the word "zao" meaning "lively, animated" which is used in 1 Peter 1:3. "Zao" describes resurrection life. When you are born again, you receive "zao" life, now and for all eternity. I am not only living, but I am alive for all eternity.
Born Again into a Wealthy Family
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
When I am born again, I am welcomed into a wealthy family with considerable personal assets. All born again believers receive an inheritance that will never pass away! Your investments are considerable, . . . in fact, you're flat out wealthy. Dad owns it all, and we are joint-heirs with Him. Our investments are hedged against inflation, stock market plunges, and economic collapse.
On Sept. 22, 1984, a 40-year-old drifter was busted for public intoxication and panhandling in Juillard Park in Santa Rosa, California. He was in jail and couldn't even raise $50 for bail money. Police routinely ran his name through a computer check and discovered he was listed as a missing person out of San Jose from 7 years before. He was not wanted for a crime or jumping bail . . . he was wanted because he was wealthy! He was wanted because he was now a millionaire. "He had spent 23 years on the streets, aged by what one jailer called 'hard miles.' His hands trembled, a tooth was missing, his chin covered with a stubbly beard. He suddenly discovered that he was a millionaire." What a shock!
God through Christ adopts us into his family when we were like a 40-year-old drifter with nothing but a missing tooth, stubbly beard, hard miles on the speedometer of life, and a half-wasted life. Suddenly, we discover how much we're worth and that God loves and forgives us and we are incredibly wealthy in Christ.
Born Again into a Secure Future
"Who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5 NIV).
"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:23 NIV).
It is possible to lose your salvation? Can you be unborn again? If you've ever doubted the endurance of your salvation, even when you fall and stumble, lay claim and meditate on the word "imperishable" in 1 Peter 1:23. Imperishable? When God says something is imperishable, He means it cannot and will not die. God's seed, the living Word of God, has caused us to be born again, and God says it is imperishable. When plagued by doubts and fears, anchor into this simple, profound truth of God: born again with imperishable seed!
Pastor Dave Beckwith
Time Out for Personal Growth
Read the Word
Read John 3:1-18; Mark 4:4-20 and 1 Peter 1:3-5, 23.
Refocus for Life
Ask yourself, "Have I been born again?" Of the 4 types of soil, which type best characterizes the condition of your heart? Hard, rocky, thorny, or good soil?
Ask God to run the plow of His Holy Spirit through your life so that the soil of your heart will be soft and pliable.
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you" (Hosea 10:12 NIV).
Record Your Spiritual Journal
Do you have a question as to whether you have been born again? Pray this simple prayer based on John 3:16-17, John 1:12, and 2 Peter 3:9.
Dear God, You loved me so much that You gave your one and only Son, that if I believed in Him I would not perish but have eternal life. I recognize You did not send Jesus to condemn me, but that I would be saved through Him. You do not want me to perish, and I repent of my sins. Today, I receive Christ into my life and believe in Your Name. Thank you for forgiving my sins and receiving me into the family of God as your child.
I prayed this prayer on _____________________ (date)
Signature _____________________________________________
© 2009, Dave Beckwith
