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Being born again, as described in the Bible, refers to a spiritual metamorphosis that occurs when an individual hears and embraces the gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus.
The process involves the Holy Spirit working on the Word of God heard by someone, resulting in their transformation into a new being fashioned after Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 10:4-5
This transformation brings about a complete change in lifestyle, aligning it with the teachings and example of Christ. It effectively transfers the individual from the dominion and influence of darkness, controlled by the devil, to the kingdom of light where Christ reigns.
This blog post will rely on the Bible as its source of answers.
Born of water and the Spirit
Jesus, in his discussion with Nicodemus documented in John 3:3-6, conveyed the message that individuals must undergo a spiritual rebirth, commonly referred to as being born again, to gain entry into the kingdom of God. This transformative process necessitates being born of both water and the Holy Spirit.
Born of water
Regarding the concept of being born again through water, Jesus’ reference is often misconstrued as pertaining to the amniotic fluid associated with physical birth. However, a closer examination reveals that Jesus was actually alluding to a spiritual form of water, emphasizing a rebirth of the spirit rather than a physical birth.
The water symbolizes the word of God, which possesses purifying qualities akin to water as described in Ephesians 5:26 and John 15:3. Furthermore, Apostle Peter elaborates in 1 Peter 1:22-23, 25 that our rebirth occurs not through the perishable seed of man, but through the imperishable and eternal seed of God’s word.
Born of the Spirit
Apostle Paul discloses in 1 Corinthians 6:11 that, upon experiencing a spiritual rebirth, believers are purified, consecrated, and deemed righteous through the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
This is further substantiated by the verses in Titus 3:5, which suggest that the Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in the process of regeneration, commonly known as being cleansed through the word of God.
Consequently, it is the Holy Spirit that activates the transformative potency of the word of God, leading to our spiritual rebirth.
The Born again Lifestyle
1. A Christ-Centred Lifestyle
The biblical passage 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 teaches that by the death of Christ, those who accept new life in Him symbolically die to their former ways. As a result, they no longer live for themselves but strive to please Christ.
In Colossians 2:6-7, Paul further encourages believers to embrace a life deeply rooted in Christ, often referred to as a life hidden in Him.
Moreover, Colossians 3:3 states that the old way of life has been crucified, and now the new life is lived through faith in Christ.
In like manner, These teachings align with Galatians 2:20, which emphasizes the transformative power of Christ in the lives of believers.
3. Pursuing Holiness and Righteousness.
Believers, being born again, are called to live for Christ, and thus they strive to emulate his holy and righteous life.
Holiness and righteousness, although sometimes used interchangeably, can be distinguished. Holiness refers to the state of moral purity and living without sin, while righteousness pertains to the character derived from holiness, enabling one to discern right from wrong according to God’s standards.
The Bible teaches that God has chosen us to be holy, declaring believers as holy people and granting them the gift of righteousness (Ephesians 2:8). Through this bestowed righteousness, the power of God energizes the believer from within, as evident in Ephesians 3:20 and Philippians 2:13, enabling them to easily engage in righteous works and develop proficiency in doing so (Hebrews 5:13).
4. Discipleship
The primary objective of experiencing rebirth is to attain a likeness to Christ. This journey towards Christlikeness is referred to as discipleship, and the individual who undergoes this transformation is known as a disciple.
The disciple endeavors to emulate the life of Christ and gradually matures, aspiring to reach the complete stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
5. Evangelising
The disciple is also required to reconcile others with God, 2 Corinthians 5:18, and make disciples of them through sharing the gospel. Matthew 28:19-20
6. Fellowshiping
This is an important Lifestyle of being Born Again because it provides the necessary support mechanism needed for believer to Succeed in the new found faith. Experiences and knowledge are exchanged from the old to the newly saved and accountability partnerships are established.
Steps of Being Born Again
- Receiving the gospel with faith in your heart. Romans 10:9-10
- confessing your sins and asking God for forgiveness.
- confessing with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord.
- Receiving the witness in your heart that you are a child of God. Romans 8:16
In conclusion, being born again, as written in the Bible, is a spiritual experience that brings about tangible changes in one’s daily life. It is essential for entering God’s kingdom. Do Feel free to comment or ask questions in the comment section.
For more on the subject of being born again, please, read:
- Now that you are born again what next?
- 6 Benefits of New testament for believers
- what does it mean to be Born Again?