January 8 - Born Again

        John 3:3 - "Jesus said to Nicodemus, 'No one can see the kingdom of heaven, unless he is born from above.' "

       The term "born again" was quite popular during the Jesus Movement of the '70s. It has become quite in disuse in the 20-teens. Nonetheless, it is in plain view in John, chapter 3. Some translations use the term "born again" in this verse; some use "born from above". Both are correct, at least in grammar, and in the context of the story. We are all born once - physically. In order to get to God, however, we need to be born a second time - spiritually. This second birth must come from God himself. Whereas no one asked to be born physically, the second birth is tied into our free will. As God draws us to himself, he brings us to the state of ready acceptance of one's need of redemption, in which the next step would be a natural flow of God's new birth.

   

        This new birth also has many of other terms associated with it, in synonymous meaning. Just check out John 1:12 (receiving); John 17:3 (eternal life); Colossians 1:13 (rescuing); and Ephesians 2:7-8 (saved), for a few samples. Two other verses further give us different terms, as well as a challenge. 1 John 5:11 states that "he who has the Son [Jesus], has eternal life". 1 Corinthians 13:5 commands us: "Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith; do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you fail the test?" One way to know that we pass the test, is that we have a desire (and action) to turn away from sinful attitudes and behavior, and that we have a desire (and action) to produce good fruit, in opposition to sinful fruit (Luke 3:7-8). One further test is to see God producing his own fruit in us (Gal 5:22 & Psalm 1:3).