To be born-again by God's grace is to be born spiritually. The Bible talks about born-again in three ways. First, born-again is possible only by God's will and plan. "Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God"(John 1:13). Second, born-again is possible only by the work of the Holy Spirit. "Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit'"(John 3:5). Third, born-again is possible by the truth. "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created"(James1:18). Paul said that we were saved by God's mercy. "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit"(Titus 3:5). The prophet Jeremiah also said that we are not consumed because of God's mercy. "Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail"(Lam 3:22). Peter also said that we had not received mercy(1 Pet 2:10). Therefore, the Bible reaches us that we gain a new life by being born-again. Born-again originally means 'to make one reborn.' "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God"( Pet 1:23). Many Scripture in the New Testament say that born-again is the beginning of the Christian life(Gal 6:15; 1 John 5:1-4). "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"(2 Cor 5:17). "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works"(Eph 2:10). Foundation of christian life lies on receiving, and living a new life. And life implies growth. Nathanial marshman William said, "If one does not see growth in a Christian, he or she was probably never been born-again in the first place." Born-again is not the end of Christian experience, but only the beginning and the foundation for growth. Born-again brings God's blessings and peace, which is eternal life. |