Being born again is a life-changing event

In the past several months, the term and meaning of born again has been the subject of several discussions I’ve had.

In one case, a young man I was speaking with said he was a Christian when I asked if he was born again. His response stunned me. He didn’t know what I was talking about. In a recent column I discussed being born again. I didn’t expect some of the responses I received in the online comments and via e-mail. In short, I am surprised with the number of people who say they are Christians and at the same time have no idea what born again is.

Before I go any further, I wish to make it clear that I make no judgments on a person’s relationship with God; rather, I only relay what is in the Bible.

The term born again was first coined by Christ himself in response to a question from Nicodemus, as seen in John 3:2-6: “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 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.’ Nicodemus sayeth unto him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”

So now the question becomes, what is born again and what did Christ mean in this statement? Being born again is not just walking forward at a church service and repeating the words of repentance. Nor is it just a matter of a water baptism. Being born again is also a life-changing experience. Things that are of the world suddenly lose their importance. Jesus Christ becomes the focus — not just in church, but every moment of your life.

In short, did your life change when you became a Christian? Would you be proud to have Christ walk into your home and be willing to let him see all that there is in your house? Would you be pleased if Christ was willing to accompany you wherever you went, including meetings at work and business arrangements? If you knew for a fact Christ was accompanying you, would you introduce him to all your friends?

In other words, if Christ were in your life seeing everything you do, say and think, would you live differently? Guess what, God sees all. Are you ready to answer for everything you do in your life?

James 1:26 says, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”

Would you be willing to face the persecutions the apostles and early Christians faced? Before you answer, let me remind you some of those persecutions included excommunication, flogging and stoning, just to name a few. I would like to believe all Christians would proudly claim Christ, but I am just as sure that at least some would not. Being born again isn’t a once-a-week change, it is a life change. Some people call themselves born-again Christians but are Christians by label only. Others live the life and have never heard the phrase. The time is coming in the United States when being a Christian won’t be the “in thing.” Many who claim Christianity now will suddenly deny Christ. When that time comes, I hope you think of this verse from Matthew 10:33: “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, which is in heaven.”

Many people seem to be on the fence about Christianity. The time will come for the marking of the beast. Here is a thought about that idea some may want to keep in mind from Revelation 20:4: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

Again, I make no judgments of a person’s dedication to their beliefs in Christ. Their faith is theirs and theirs alone. Who will make it to heaven is based on people’s relationships with God and the decisions they make. I am grateful I am not a part of that decision-making process. I close with this quote from an unknown author: “Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.”

Mike Blodgett is chaplain of Lighthouse Chapel. Contact him at lighthouse_chapelak@yahoo.com.