the effect of being born again on our free will

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randyk

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2021
902
268
63
Pacific NW USA
#1
What is it that's "Born Again?" I believe we don't die to our volition, to our free ability to make decisions. Receiving Christ does not displace our ability to make choices in concert with Christ.

What we die to is autonomous living. We die to independence, and choose to live in continual partnership with Christ. This union of God and Christian is what it means to be "Born Again." What do you think?
 
Sep 6, 2014
7,034
5,435
113
#2
Ephesians 1:1-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 2:1-6
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Romans 8:29-30
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,670
6,860
113
#3
What is it that's "Born Again?" I believe we don't die to our volition, to our free ability to make decisions. Receiving Christ does not displace our ability to make choices in concert with Christ.

What we die to is autonomous living. We die to independence, and choose to live in continual partnership with Christ. This union of God and Christian is what it means to be "Born Again." What do you think?
Being born again simply means we have been baptized in Jesus, and the chains of sin that held us captive all our lives were broken when we "rose" with Him. The old man/heart of sin is born anew, washed clean of sin by the precious blood of Jesus, and we are given an new heart, become a new man dedicated to being a disciple of Jesus.

Correctly, this in no way takes away the gift of free will God gave all of us. We choose daily to follow Jesus and repent from the sin of the world that surrounds us.

As I stated in another Post, Jesus spoke of this in John 3:16 and Matthew 24:13. Believing in/faith in Jesus is a continous thing...
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,887
29,274
113
#4

1 Peter 1:23 plus 1 John 5:4
:)
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#5
What is it that's "Born Again?" I believe we don't die to our volition, to our free ability to make decisions. Receiving Christ does not displace our ability to make choices in concert with Christ.

What we die to is autonomous living. We die to independence, and choose to live in continual partnership with Christ. This union of God and Christian is what it means to be "Born Again." What do you think?

Remove the word...die......from your reference.

Being born again (repentance, baptism, living a righteous life) is putting away the old sinful person and re-appearing as a new person....cleansed and committed to following Christ as a Christian.
Kudos to you for using the correct status here on earth .....born again....as opposed to the offensive term to God......saved.....while here on earth.
 

birdie

Senior Member
Sep 16, 2014
531
102
43
#6
What is it that's "Born Again?" I believe we don't die to our volition, to our free ability to make decisions. Receiving Christ does not displace our ability to make choices in concert with Christ.

What we die to is autonomous living. We die to independence, and choose to live in continual partnership with Christ. This union of God and Christian is what it means to be "Born Again." What do you think?
For a person who is born again: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. "

In my experience, I was not aware of God in the same way until after being born again, drawn by God. Remember how Saul was converted and asked: "Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. " After he was born again, God began to reveal who he was.

For example, in school classes, I was being taught that existence was a matter of chance and probabilty. An unfeeling world of chance in which I was left to fend for myself. Once I was born anew and realized God was there, and once I saw that God answered specific prayers, I realized "Hey, this is not a random and uncaring existence. There is a God and he has a plan and is love and so forth. I began to see him as provider. I also began to see him as the answer to problems and needs and so forth. In my opinion, this new realization is brought on by a new Spirit given. In my opinion, that is what is meant by they began to speak in new tongues. I see this as meaning persons begin to speak from a new perspective and a new Spirit from what they had before. After all, Jesus cares. God cares. I do not spend a lot of time trying to force my will to conform to God. I simply carry everything to God and ask for his opinion and ask him to make me the way that is good and pray that it will be good in his eyes and in his kingdom. You asked a question about dying to autonomous living, but for me it is simply that living is in Christ so why wouldn't I go to him. The Bible says a person who is born again calls out 'Abba, father' because they have been adopted to have him as father.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,843
1,854
113
#7
I think people take terms we are given in the bible and which are simple terms, and make it more difficult than it needs to be.

Jesus calls being born again equal with being given eternal life (john 3)
Paul calls born again the process of us, who were dead in sin, being made alive in Christ. (eph 2 and col 2)

being born again does not take away free will. It changes our thinking.. as we are made new creatures, but it does not mean we can not still chose to serve self and not God (sin)
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#8
I think people take terms we are given in the bible and which are simple terms, and make it more difficult than it needs to be.

Jesus calls being born again equal with being given eternal life (john 3)
Paul calls born again the process of us, who were dead in sin, being made alive in Christ. (eph 2 and col 2)

being born again does not take away free will. It changes our thinking.. as we are made new creatures, but it does not mean we can not still chose to serve self and not God (sin)

...and you need to keep scripture in context.......if saved on earth is appropriate...then please tell me what God will judge us for after death.
SAVED means in history books. Remember scriptures says..it is appointed unto man once to die...then the judgement.

So..please explain?
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#9
timed out....

cont'd...

If I were to accidently say what you said I would go to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness....because He is probably offended.

Your thinking is ...new age religion....stuff.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#10
What is it that's "Born Again?" I believe we don't die to our volition, to our free ability to make decisions. Receiving Christ does not displace our ability to make choices in concert with Christ.

What we die to is autonomous living. We die to independence, and choose to live in continual partnership with Christ. This union of God and Christian is what it means to be "Born Again." What do you think?
What does the following passage mean to you? Is it a Biblical error?

Romans 8:9 NLT - "But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)"
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#11
There are so many wrongful references too and of God's word (it's a shame) and the ...new age religion types...use it to miss lead.

Newbies..... especially fall prey.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
113
#12
This union of God and Christian is what it means to be "Born Again." What do you think?
That is one part of being born again. But the New Birth is a supernatural birth (being born of the Spirit or born of God). This means that you are a "new creature" in Christ, old things have passed away, and all things have become new. Which also means that God gives you a new heart, a new spirit, a renewed mind, a new direction in life, and a total turning away from the past life. It includes repentance and making restitution and amends for past mistakes and failures. It includes a total surrender of yourself to God and Christ. The apostle Paul who was formerly Saul of Tarsus is one of the best examples of a totally changed person.

PHILIPPIANS 3: PAUL TURNED AWAY FROM HIS FORMER LIFE
3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,887
29,274
113
#13
Kudos to you for using the correct status here on earth .....born again....
as opposed to the offensive term to God......saved.....while here on earth.
Why do you say "saved" is an offensive term to God? :oops::unsure::geek:

Salvation is rescue, deliverance or redemption from destruction, harm or ruin, which comes as a result of sin.

Is this not what God does for us? Has He not done it for you?

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah.


Psalm 65:5
By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,
You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;


Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;
And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.


Psalm 85:4
Restore us, O God of our salvation,
And cause Your indignation toward us to cease.


Psalm 25:5
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.


Psalm 27:9
Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!


Psalm 88:1b
O Lord, the God of my salvation,
I have cried out by day and in the night before You.


Psalm 89:26
“He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’


Psalm 95:1
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord,
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.


Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.


Psalm 62:6
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.


Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.


Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.


Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.”


Psalm 118:14
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.


Psalm 118:21
I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.


Psalm 62:1
For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.


Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?


Habakkuk 3:8
Did the Lord rage against the rivers,
Or was Your anger against the rivers,
Or was Your wrath against the sea,
That You rode on Your horses,
On Your chariots of salvation?


Jeremiah 3:23
“Surely, the hills are a deception,
A tumult on the mountains.
Surely in the Lord our God
Is the salvation of Israel.


Isaiah 33:6
And He will be the stability of your times,
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the Lord is his treasure.


Psalm 50:23
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.”


Isaiah 38:20
The Lord will surely save me;
So we will play my songs on stringed instruments
All the days of our life at the house of the Lord.”


Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.


Psalm 145:19
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.


Habakkuk 3:18
Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.


 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,843
1,854
113
#14
...and you need to keep scripture in context.......if saved on earth is appropriate...then please tell me what God will judge us for after death.
SAVED means in history books. Remember scriptures says..it is appointed unto man once to die...then the judgement.

So..please explain?
I have kept the scripture in context.

and Your right,

It determined to man to die once. then the judgment

The issue is what judgment will you receive?

will you be tried for your works and found wanting (great white throne) or will you be tried based on the work of Christ. in which case, his death is applied to you and you are justified..

The choice is up to you.
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#15
Why do you say "saved" is an offensive term to God? :oops::unsure::geek:

Salvation is rescue, deliverance or redemption from destruction, harm or ruin, which comes as a result of sin.

Is this not what God does for us? Has He not done it for you?

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah.


Psalm 65:5
By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,
You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;


Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;
And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.


Psalm 85:4
Restore us, O God of our salvation,
And cause Your indignation toward us to cease.


Psalm 25:5
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.


Psalm 27:9
Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!


Psalm 88:1b
O Lord, the God of my salvation,
I have cried out by day and in the night before You.


Psalm 89:26
“He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’


Psalm 95:1
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord,
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.


Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.


Psalm 62:6
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.


Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.


Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.


Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.”


Psalm 118:14
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.


Psalm 118:21
I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.


Psalm 62:1
For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.


Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?


Habakkuk 3:8
Did the Lord rage against the rivers,
Or was Your anger against the rivers,
Or was Your wrath against the sea,
That You rode on Your horses,
On Your chariots of salvation?


Jeremiah 3:23
“Surely, the hills are a deception,
A tumult on the mountains.
Surely in the Lord our God
Is the salvation of Israel.


Isaiah 33:6
And He will be the stability of your times,
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the Lord is his treasure.


Psalm 50:23
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.”


Isaiah 38:20
The Lord will surely save me;
So we will play my songs on stringed instruments
All the days of our life at the house of the Lord.”


Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.


Psalm 145:19
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.


Habakkuk 3:18
Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.


I will no longer respond to obscene and useless graphics intermingled with God's sovereign word.

So don't ask.

Your need to study the Bible is apparent.
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#16
I have kept the scripture in context.

and Your right,

It determined to man to die once. then the judgment

The issue is what judgment will you receive?

will you be tried for your works and found wanting (great white throne) or will you be tried based on the work of Christ. in which case, his death is applied to you and you are justified..

The choice is up to you.
A non response.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,887
29,274
113
#17
Kudos to you for using the correct status here on earth .....born again....
as opposed to the offensive term to God......saved.....while here on earth.
Why do you say "saved" is an offensive term to God? :oops::unsure::geek:

Salvation is rescue, deliverance or redemption from destruction, harm or ruin, which comes as a result of sin.

Is this not what God does for us? Has He not done it for you?

How do you reconcile your opinion against the weight of Scripture that is contrary to what you say?

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah.


Psalm 65:5
By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,
You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;


Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;
And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.


Psalm 85:4
Restore us, O God of our salvation,
And cause Your indignation toward us to cease.


Psalm 25:5
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.


Psalm 27:9
Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!


Psalm 88:1b
O Lord, the God of my salvation,
I have cried out by day and in the night before You.


Psalm 89:26
“He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’


Psalm 95:1
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord,
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.


Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.


Psalm 62:6
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.


Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.


Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.


Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.”


Psalm 118:14
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.


Psalm 118:21
I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.


Psalm 62:1
For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.


Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?


Habakkuk 3:8
Did the Lord rage against the rivers,
Or was Your anger against the rivers,
Or was Your wrath against the sea,
That You rode on Your horses,
On Your chariots of salvation?


Jeremiah 3:23
“Surely, the hills are a deception,
A tumult on the mountains.
Surely in the Lord our God
Is the salvation of Israel.


Isaiah 33:6
And He will be the stability of your times,
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the Lord is his treasure.


Psalm 50:23
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.”


Isaiah 38:20
The Lord will surely save me;
So we will play my songs on stringed instruments
All the days of our life at the house of the Lord.”


Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.


Psalm 145:19
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.


Habakkuk 3:18
Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,843
1,854
113
#18
just because you do not like my answer does not mean its non responsive.

You did not respond to the two passages I gave about being literally born again..At least I gave you an answer
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#20
just because you do not like my answer does not mean its non responsive.

You did not respond to the two passages I gave about being literally born again..At least I gave you an answer
I don't care what your answer is...as long as it is clear and represents God's word.
Yours did not.