BORN AGAIN -What does it mean?

I was talking to my neighbor a little while ago and she said she didnt like "Born Again" Christians, when we were talking about the different Churches here in town.

I asked what she meant by that and she said people who had a wicked lifestyle and then became Christians and claim they were "born again" yet still act the same way as they did before in their former lifestyle.

I have heard someone talk about this before but I never really knew that was the usual definition of a born again Christian. And so I would like to know what everybody thinks a true "Born Again" Christian is and tell me why you think that way.

Here is one Bible verse that strikes me as I read it:

1Jn:2:29: If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

I cant see how a true Biblical Born Again Christian could live their former wicked lifestyle, according to this Bible verse, can you?


...unless you have a different definition of what it means to "doeth righteousness"

also it must be of utmost importance for a person to be "born again" in light of what Jesus says here:

Jn:3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Claudia

 

It seems to me like both what standingfirminChrist and what BobRyan said are right.

I dont think any of us here could truthfully say we are sinless, but on the other hand, the Bible seems to also say that we are either "good trees bearing good fruit" or "bad trees bearing bad fruit".

Could it be that the overall picture of us and what we do in a habitual way would be the indicator of whether or not we are really born again? Who do we talk about (Jesus), what do we think about (doing God's will, helping our neighbor); yet falling and failing quite a lot.

While the blatant sinner would care about self, and would be careless of everything.

To me that sounds like a good balanced idea of a born again person.

You would think though that if we are born of GOD, that we would be a little more perfect:

Jn:1:13: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

But on the other hand I wonder if its just like being born, as in a newborn baby... and we grow by degrees.

And so of course we will still be sinful yet growing up into full stature. Thats how I see it so far, at least

I will have to read the other posts tomorrow.


Here's a verse: (I'm looking up "Born" on my desktop Bible)


Jn:3:8: The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

I wonder if this whole process of being born again is an instantaneous thing or a long drawn out protracted thing?
Claudia

 

Where did you get the idea that we can no longer sin?


Claudia

 

I believe what you are looking for are the attributes of one who has truly been born again.

The event itself is an act of God alone who creates a new creature in Christ via the Holy Ghost.

I agree with you in the sense that righteousness will prevail in a born again Christians life, however this never means perfection and backsliding is a fact of life even for the saved.

Doing what is right is loving thy neighbor as thyself. I know many "true" Christians who sin EVERY day but I can confirm as a witness that they do keep God's Holy commandment. Guess what? I am one of them!

God Bless! </font>[/QUOTE]Steve,

What exactly do you mean when you say that they "keep God's Holy Commandment"?

Claudia

 

Amen, so if a saved person is going to be rewarded for their works, good or bad, it's kinda silly to say that a person with bad works isn't saved. </font>[/QUOTE]How can a person be "Rewarded for their bad works" when Jesus said this:

John 5:
28: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29: And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

Steve,

"Briefly comprehended" means that love your neighbor and love God are a SUMMARY of the entire law, that doesnt mean you dont have to keep the law.

If you love your neighbor would you steal from them? would you kill them? Thou shalt not kill is a part of the 10 commandments. You cannot claim that you love God and your neighbor if you slowly kill your own self by not taking care of your body. Love your neighbor "as you love yourself" the Bible says.

...as far as your claim that we need to only keep the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law goes, thats not what Jesus said, He said till heaven and earth pass away, every letter of the law would be intact.

Mt:5:18: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

You cant continue on being at enmity against God's 10 commandment Law and claim you are being "spiritual". To be carnally minded is death.

Romans 8:
6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

TEMPERANCE includes sensible dietary habits

2Pt:1:
6: And to knowledge (add) temperance ; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

8: For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9: But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


Claudia

[ April 29, 2006, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Claudia_T ]