What does it mean to be "born again?"
- Thread starter ResidentAlien
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Hi Magenta, thanksYour auto siggy may be contributing to that
I could remove my signature. Do you believe that would fix the problem?I do use a little bit of formatting in my signature line, but it's typically far less than it is where I'm posting.
Before I do so, do my posts seem pretty readable to you, or are they annoyingly sloppy looking instead (like Resident Alien says that they look on his end)?
Thanks Sister
~Deut
Hello again Resident Alien, in the OP you asked us to tell you how ~we~ understand what being "born again" means, and I believe that quite a few of us have already done just that.
You also claimed that you had no preconceived notion about this. While that may have been true when you wrote your OP, it clearly is not now, so why not let the cat out of the bag and tell us what ~you~ believe being "born again" means (we are, after all, on page three of this thread already).
Lastly, the topic title and OP are concerned with being "born again", but you seem interested in a different topic, that of "free will". So, when you explain what you believe being "born again" means to us, please connect the dots for us concerning your understanding of "free will", as well, of course, how you believe "free will" plays a part in this.
It might also be helpful to understand what you mean/how you define, "free will" (I believe that our wills are "free" whenever we are able to choose what we want most at a given moment in time, just FYI). I would also be interested in knowing whether you believe that our wills will remain "free" once we are in Heaven (or on the New Earth). IOW, will we be able to reject the Savior and the salvation that He has provided us with a trillion years into the eternity of the age to come? Why?/Why not?
Thanks!
God bless you!!
~Deut
p.s. - I used zero formatting when I wrote what I just did. Was it more legible, or is it just as sloppy looking as my earlier posts in this thread appeared to be to you? Thanks again!
Jesus gave us spiritual salvation so being born again has to be spiritual which when a person receives the Spirit after they are saved then the kingdom of God is within them and they have power by the Spirit to be able to overcome the flesh and be like Christ.
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• Jer 13:23 . . Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?
then may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
That right there is explanation enough to understand why the regeneration
spoken of by John 3:3-8 is required rather than optional.
Now, it's thought by some across the internet that the birth spoken of in that
passage is a do-over. Well, sort of, but . . instead of making folks over again
with standard human nature (which has structural weaknesses) they're done
over with a divine nature; which is much stronger material, so to speak.
• 2 Pet 1:3-4 . . His divine power has given us everything we need for life
and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory
and goodness. Through these He has given us his very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and
escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
_
• Jer 13:23 . . Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?
then may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
That right there is explanation enough to understand why the regeneration
spoken of by John 3:3-8 is required rather than optional.
Now, it's thought by some across the internet that the birth spoken of in that
passage is a do-over. Well, sort of, but . . instead of making folks over again
with standard human nature (which has structural weaknesses) they're done
over with a divine nature; which is much stronger material, so to speak.
• 2 Pet 1:3-4 . . His divine power has given us everything we need for life
and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory
and goodness. Through these He has given us his very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and
escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
_
In my view ------there are Birthmark signs of being Born Again -----there are certain Characteristics and Traits that are visible in one who is born again ----
The first Birthmark sign to becoming born again is------the Confession of Faith in Jesus Christ
! John 5:!
There is the Birth of Change ----
A changed Life ----as one learns to practice living right our habits should change ----while we will not be sinless --we need to have behaviour changes to be more Christ like ----
1 John:29 ---2 Corinthians 5:17
There is a Birth of Compassion ----this compassion is not moved by our feelings ---we are to love our neighbour and our enemies ------! John 4:7
Greek word for compassion -----
Strong's Concordance
splagchnizomai: to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion
The Birth of dealing with Conflict in a rightful manner ----
if your born again you will be growing to become an overcomer as you deal with temptations around you ---the world ---the flesh and the devil -you should gain progress in your victories and loosing less as you grow stronger in Christ and His Word
! John 5:4 ---! John 2 15-17
The Birth sign of Conduct -----
We should see evidence of a change in our Conduct that pleases God ----
1 John 3:9 ----
Now this scripture is sometimes taken as we can't sin and this is a wrong interpretation---we will always sometime miss the mark -----sin in this scripture is a present active infinitive and it means a continual sinning action ----if anyone keeps on sinning continual without seeing a change in their habitual sinning then they are not truly saved -------
When a truly saved person sins they will be grieved over it ---confess it and seek God's grace to do better ----
More Birthmarks of being Born Again
There should be a distinctive desire to pray -----
Psalms 42:!-2
There should be A Hunger and Thirst to be in God's Word
Psalms 107:9
There should be an attitude of willingness to obey God's Word
2 John 1:6
The first Birthmark sign to becoming born again is------the Confession of Faith in Jesus Christ
! John 5:!
There is the Birth of Change ----
A changed Life ----as one learns to practice living right our habits should change ----while we will not be sinless --we need to have behaviour changes to be more Christ like ----
1 John:29 ---2 Corinthians 5:17
There is a Birth of Compassion ----this compassion is not moved by our feelings ---we are to love our neighbour and our enemies ------! John 4:7
Greek word for compassion -----
Strong's Concordance
splagchnizomai: to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion
The Birth of dealing with Conflict in a rightful manner ----
if your born again you will be growing to become an overcomer as you deal with temptations around you ---the world ---the flesh and the devil -you should gain progress in your victories and loosing less as you grow stronger in Christ and His Word
! John 5:4 ---! John 2 15-17
The Birth sign of Conduct -----
We should see evidence of a change in our Conduct that pleases God ----
1 John 3:9 ----
Now this scripture is sometimes taken as we can't sin and this is a wrong interpretation---we will always sometime miss the mark -----sin in this scripture is a present active infinitive and it means a continual sinning action ----if anyone keeps on sinning continual without seeing a change in their habitual sinning then they are not truly saved -------
When a truly saved person sins they will be grieved over it ---confess it and seek God's grace to do better ----
More Birthmarks of being Born Again
There should be a distinctive desire to pray -----
Psalms 42:!-2
There should be A Hunger and Thirst to be in God's Word
Psalms 107:9
There should be an attitude of willingness to obey God's Word
2 John 1:6
Simple: People become "Born AGain" when the Holy Spirit indwells them and fuzes with their human spirit, giving them the power to become children of God.
Eph 2,8,9 is thumbnail scetck of the process, and indicates that the FAITH to be "Born Again" is gifted by God, generally following Conviction of SIN and of Judgement by the Holy Spirit, and surrender / Repentance on the part of the person.
Baptism in water is what one does AFTER they'been Born Again of the holy spirit.
Simple as that.
Don't be silly!!! Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, there are "positive modifications" to your perception, so that your FREE WILL is effected by the ability to see and appreciate the "Kingdom of God" that was INVISIBLE to you before being Born Again. And the Holy SPirit is now engaged in the progressive process of CONFORMING YOU to Christ's image (Rom 8, 28,29). The Christian takes Jesus' YOKE upon themselves (Mat 11: 29,30), and actively LEARNS OF HIM for the rest of their lives.
not at all, but it does become challenged. naturally, our Will is to do what our flesh desires. once we are filled with God's Spirit, that Will becomes under judgement and it's the first real Battle we face. time is precious, because we eventually start seeking out God's Will over our own.
Sounds like a fancy way of saying we still have free will. I agree that with the Holy Spirit's help we are more inclined to exercise free will for His glory. But free will is still free will. Even a truly, genuinely born again person has the ability to choose evil; and theoretically to even renounce Christ altogether.
Do you believe that we will have that ability (to renounce Christ altogether, that is) throughout eternity
If not, why not Also, what about God? Does He have "free will" like we do, and if He does, could He choose to sin (either now, or sometime in the distant future perhaps)
If not, why not Thanks!
~Deut
.
Former US President Richard Nixon once said (in so many words) that when
a President breaks the law it's not a crime.
In other words; nothing God does is wrong because everything God does is
according to His will; and God's will trumps everybody else's will.
Abraham once asked God: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
(Gen 18:25)
Well the thing is: Everything God does is right in His own eyes. Some of the
things He does may not be right in our eyes; but tough luck; who's to stop
Him?
* Rev 6:10, and a few other verses, uses a Greek word for "Lord" that means
despot; defined by Webster's as a ruler with absolute power and authority
and/or one exercising absolute power in a brutal or oppressive way.
"Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it
shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (Matt 21:44)
_
Former US President Richard Nixon once said (in so many words) that when
a President breaks the law it's not a crime.
In other words; nothing God does is wrong because everything God does is
according to His will; and God's will trumps everybody else's will.
Abraham once asked God: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
(Gen 18:25)
Well the thing is: Everything God does is right in His own eyes. Some of the
things He does may not be right in our eyes; but tough luck; who's to stop
Him?
* Rev 6:10, and a few other verses, uses a Greek word for "Lord" that means
despot; defined by Webster's as a ruler with absolute power and authority
and/or one exercising absolute power in a brutal or oppressive way.
"Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it
shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (Matt 21:44)
_
Hello DeuteronomyHi Magenta, thanks
I do use a little bit of formatting in my signature line, but it's typically far less than it is where I'm posting.
Before I do so, do my posts seem pretty readable to you, or are they annoyingly
sloppy looking instead (like Resident Alien says that they look on his end)?
Thanks Sister
~Deut
Sorry I missed this earlier! Your siggy is a bit long;the changes in bold aside from the verse citations is a bit distracting.
Overall, it is a lot to scroll past every time you post
I'm sure people thought that about my welcome when it got overly lengthy with panels
and vids
I finally designed a new welcome and did away with the extras
Sorry, I had to laugh at this, in particular, the tough luck part.
It almost sounded like you thought God could do wrong, though
That is which is born of flesh is flesh. For we are shapen in iniquity; and in sin did our mothers conceive us. We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Because by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. But God who is rich in mercy hath made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
This is why we who are christians are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. This is what happens when people are baptized with the Holy Ghost. They are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. This is how they have put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
And how did they do all of this? Thus: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
As it is written, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
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According to 1John 3:9, neither God, nor a direct descendant of God, can
sin. Whether that's true or not is for everyone to decide for themselves.
_
According to 1John 3:9, neither God, nor a direct descendant of God, can
sin. Whether that's true or not is for everyone to decide for themselves.
_
Being Born Again was prophecied in Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
This is the way it is accomplished;
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This is the result;
Galatians 3:26-29
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
This is the way it is accomplished;
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This is the result;
Galatians 3:26-29
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
.
According to Ezekiel 36:24-27, Col 2:11 and 2Pet 1:3-4, that will never
happen.
The regeneration that Jesus spoke of at John 3:3-8 not only makes folks
suitable for life in the kingdom of God; but also makes it possible for them
to stay there and not have to worry about getting kicked out.
_
According to Ezekiel 36:24-27, Col 2:11 and 2Pet 1:3-4, that will never
happen.
The regeneration that Jesus spoke of at John 3:3-8 not only makes folks
suitable for life in the kingdom of God; but also makes it possible for them
to stay there and not have to worry about getting kicked out.
_