Have you ever tried quizzing other believers about their new birth experience or have you been questioned by anyone in this regard? I have done so on many occasions and the responses I got were usually baffling. A typical one goes like this:
Bros, are you born again? Yes! When? Well, I gave my life to Christ in 1997. So how did you “give your life” to Christ? Well, (he starts muttering at this point). So I try to help him out by asking– how do you know you are now born again? He replies – I used to be a very bad guy those days; but right now, the bad things I used to do, I do them no more. If I want to complicate the matter, I would ask him – does that mean that anyone who stopped doing bad things is born again? Such quizzing has helped me kick start a mentoring program with other believers. If I were to have a similar conversation with you, what would your responses be?
The bible says in 2Corinthians 5:17 (LITV) – “So that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!” This verse is common to most believers, but I think it has an uncommon meaning. Most times when believers refer to it, they talk about “the bad things I used to do, I do them no more”. Inasmuch as it is expected that we exhibit good actions as believers, we should not lose sight of the meaning of this verse. The verse does not say if you are in Christ, you have a new operation. Rather, you are a new creation. Our being and configuration was emphasized over our doings and actions. A new nature and life that never existed in the world was created in the believer. Hallelujah!
In Genesis 2:17, we understand that the first man that was created by God (Adam) disobeyed Him and this led to his death. Death as implied in this verse does not mean annihilation (stopped from complete existence) but it means alienation (separated from God). All men that proceeded from Adam were born as aliens from the life of God. But Jesus Christ came and changed the situation. God has given birth to a new life in everyone who has accepted the salvation from Jesus Christ.
But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them He gave authority to become children of God, … who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, butwere born of God. John 1:12-13
Since God is a spirit and spirit gives birth to spirit (John 3:6), it therefore means that God recreated our spirits when we got born-again. It is thus logical and scriptural (II Peter 1:4, I John 4:17) to conclude that we possess the same nature like the one who gave birth to us – God. Just as we came into this world through birth by our earthly parents, every believer came to being by a spiritual birth from God.
“Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God’s living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself!” (I Pet 1:23 – MSG)
The life of the believer originated from God! This knowledge should call for constant celebration. This knowledge requires a new mode of operation in our lives. We came from God and we should always behave like Him.
“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 (CEV)
To be continued …
– tope aladenusi
