Are you 'Born Again' to sin? or Born of God?
In the course of time important words and concepts can lose their precise meaning with frequent use by uncareful users or adherents. Even the very word 'God' has so often been repeated in discussion that multitudes of theology students or church attenders have unconsciously forgotten all that is meant by the term and Person of the all-knowing, all-powerful, and absolutely holy King of Heaven. Likewise the term Christian has been so often used, and so many different kinds of sinners have called themselves one, that the average person, even in America, could not tell you the real meaning of the word. The word Christian is generally understood as merely a ethical heritage, social preference, or as a person who only verbally agrees that the bible has the truth. Thus, people largely assume that there are different kinds of Christians---with completely different theologies and hearts. It therefore becomes necessary to give more details to show that the Founder, Leader, and focus of Christianity insisted that: "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple... So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all he possesses." (Luke 14) We can all see that the common use of the term Christian is not as limited as Jesus Himself demanded, so that multitudes are supposed to be Christians who do not in fact give up all their sins and live for God's will as He has revealed it. ( See 1 John 2:15-17)
The phrase 'born again' has suffered the same hypocritical wear that Christian has endured. Even though the former is more limited than the later, it still claims so many godless members that we were compelled to print up a careful biblical exposition of the phrase so that it might be rescued from these fanatical and sinful associations. We will grant that most definitions of the phrase are right in that there is a great change that takes place in one's life and heart; and that this change is altogether at once. But how much of a change takes place? or what kind of change occurs? Again, it is generally believed that there is at least a noticeable change in the person's views and opinions about sin, and that they stop doing certain things after this born again experience because they then know they are wrong. But is this change or reformation limited to a few outward actions and opinions about doctrines?
We notice that in the first and most common reference to being born again in the bible (John 3), we find Jesus comparing this experience, which he was insisting upon Nicodemus, with a natural birth. Nicodemus stumbled at Jesus' statements and supposed He was referring to being naturally born again (possibly reincarnation). So Jesus corrected him and showed that the second birth was not two experiences of being born of the water and flesh, but that man had to have two similar births: one natural of the water, and one spiritual of the spirit. The first is necessary for natural life on earth; the second is necessary for life in heaven. In the first birth we have all things necessary for living a natural life; in the second we gain all things necessary to dwell with God in heaven (and on earth). We are thus born children of God in holiness and purity.
The term born again can be translated born anew, and so means a totally new change of heart. The chapter reveals that this changes is like starting over again, as if we became like infants who had not sinned yet. The context of the bible teaches that this concept, which is also loosely called being justified, conversion, a new creature, in Christ, children of God, born of God, sons of God, beloved children, Light in the Lord, children of Light, etc., is a complete change of heart and relation to God through Jesus Christ. The is no proof of this being a partial change which gives up sin in incomplete amounts; or of being merely a new desire and effort to improve ourselves by resolutions and self-efforts that leave us without being pure as He is pure. God continually insists that repentance is necessary before we are accepted of Him and justified (Lk. 13:3-9; 15:7 17:3; Acts 3:19; Rom. 2:13). We are thus required to turn from all of our sin and receive all His grace to become all that He expects of us. Because He has commanded us to be as righteous as He is righteous, we have the highest evidence that we can be righteous just as He is righteous. And if there is no sin in God's heart and choices, who could suppose that there could be any in ours if we are "righteous just as He is righteous" when we are born of God? People who measure their definitions of being born again by their own experience, and suppose therefore that it must be only positional righteousness before God--- which is in name only and not free of sin---have not considered the very words they use, or what God actually can do for them by His perfect grace to save!
Consider for a moment: How could a perfect God use such terms as born of God, children of the kingdom, or a new creation to refer to an imperfect work marred with sin and a contrary will not prepared to bless heaven with its example? To suggest such is to deny what He says, that "everything created by God is good" and to suppose the new birth is only partially good---and the rest is to be worked out by our own self-righteous efforts! Who will dare say it!
People often get confused on this subject because Christians can and often have fallen into sin again and again. They therefore think being born again is the same as what people call being a Christian from the first moment till death (and all the obedience and disobedience in between). They suppose themselves still Christians while in momentary sins, because they still profess to be Christians. In the same way people still profess to be a "born again" person while they sin (because they generally live holy). But in this they fail see the biblical teaching and use of the words they employ, and thus contribute to the disintegration of the true meaning and righteousness of the new birth or salvation. The fact is that all these words and concepts of the born again experience in the bible ARE NOT about the first time we have faith, but to those moments when we are walking with God as He requires us in true faith, love, holiness, righteousness and purity. We are born of God when our hearts and actions are born of God according to His will, and as He taught us to pray: "as it is done in heaven." Who supposes a partial or sinful obedience to His will there? We therefore can hardly suppose that He accepts such here when "He appeared to save us from our sins!" "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son." (Col. 1:13)
But let us conclude by examining the first Epistle of John to see how He taught further on the subject of being born of God which we saw above in the third chapter of his Gospel. Take note of just when people are born of God and when they are not; and see that it has nothing to do with a persons mere profession or history, but a heart presently free from sin:
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not do the truth. (1:6)... My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. (2:1)... The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him must himself walk in the same manner as He walked. (2:5-6)... the one who does the will of God lives forever (2:17)... If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who does righteousness is born of Him. See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and such are we. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Everyone who does sin also does lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has then seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who does righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who does sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this reason, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God does sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God; by this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious. Anyone who does not do righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. (2:29-3:10)... He who does not love abides in death (14)... Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God... If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us... By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. (7, 12, 17)... For whatever is born of God overcomes the world... We know that no one who is born of God sins; but he who is born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him." (4, 18)
If you find these words different than your experience then consider what the apostle also said: "The one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son."
"Marvel not that I say unto you, 'You must be born again.'"
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