ARE YOU BORN AGAIN

This is one of the most important questions in religion. Jesus Christ says, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" — John 3:3.

Are you born again? It is not enough to reply, "I belong to the church; and I suppose I am." Thousands of nominal Christians have none of the marks and signs of being born again which the Scripture has given us.

Would you like to know the marks and signs of being born again? Give me your attention, and I will show them to you out of the first epistle of John.

First of all, John says, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;" and again, "Whosoever is born of God sinneth not." — John 3:9; 5:18.

A man born again, or regenerate, does not commit sin as a habit. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination, as an unregenerate man does. There was probably a time when he did not think whether his actions were sinful or not, and never felt grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. Now he hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, counts it his greatest plague, groans under the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be delivered from it altogether. In one word, sin no longer pleases him, nor is even a matter of indifference; it has become the abominable thing which he hates. He cannot prevent its dwelling within him. If he said he had no sin, there would be no truth in him (1 John 1:8). But he can say that he cordially abhors it, and the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts arising within him, and short-comings, omissions, and defects appearing, both in his words and actions. He knew, as James says, that "In many things we offend all" (James 3:2). But he can say truly, and as in the sight of God, that things are a daily grief and sorrow to him, and that his whole nature does not consent unto them.

I place this mark before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Secondly, John says, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God" — 1 John 5:1).

A man born again, or regenerate, then, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour by whom his soul can be pardoned; that He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and that beside Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness, but in Christ he sees ground for the fullest confidence, and trusting in Him he believes that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that for the sake of Christ's finished work and death upon the cross, he is reckoned righteous in God's sight, and may look forward to death and judgment without alarm. He may have his fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you he feels as if he had not faith at all. But ask him whether he will rest his hopes of eternal life on his own goodness, his own amendments, his prayers, his minister, or his church, and see what he will reply. Ask him whether he will give up Christ, and place his confidence in any other way of religion. Depend upon it, he would say that though he does feel weak and bad, he would not give up Christ for all the world. Depend upon it, he would say he found preciousness in Christ, a suitableness to his own soul in Christ, that he found nowhere else, and that he must cling to him.

I place this mark before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Thirdly, John says, "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him" — 1 John 2:29.

The man born again, or regenerate, then is, a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God's will, to do the things that please God, to avoid the things that God hates. His aim and desire is to love God with heart and soul and mind and strength, and to love his neighbor as himself. His wish is to be continually looking to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour, and to show himself Christ's friend by doing whatsoever Christ commands. No doubt he is not perfect. None will tell you that sooner than himself. He groans under the burden of indwelling corruption cleaving to him. He finds an evil principle within him constantly warring against Grace, and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence. In spite of all shortcomings, the average bent and bias of his way is holy—his doings are holy, his tastes holy, and his habits holy. In spite of all this swerving and turning aside, like a ship beating up against a contrary wind, the general course of his life is in one direction—toward God and for God. And though he may sometimes fell so low that he questions whether he is a Christian at all, he will generally be able to say with old John Newton, "I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be in another world, but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the Grace of God I am what I am."

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Fourthly, John says, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" — I John 3:14.

A man born again, or regenerate, then, has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who are of one mind with himself. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners, and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company. He is never so happy as when he is among the saints and the excellent of the earth. Others may value learning, or cleverness, or agreeableness, or riches or rank, in the society they choose. The regenerate man values Grace. Those who have most Grace, and are mot like Christ, are those he most loves. He feels that they are members of the same family with himself. He feels that they are his fellow-soldiers, warring against the same enemy. He feels that they are his fellow-travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. He and they may be very different in many ways—in rank, in station, in wealth. What matter? They are Jesus Christ's people. They are his Father's sons and daughters. Then he cannot help loving them.

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Fifthly, John says, "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" —I John 5:4.

A man born again, or regenerate, does not make the world's opinion his rule of right and wrong. He does not mind going against the stream of the world's way, notions and customs. "What may will say?" is no longer a turning-point with him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which most around him call happiness. He cannot enjoy their enjoyments: they weary him: they appear to him vain, unprofitable, and unworthy of an immortal being. He overcomes the fear of the world. He is content to do many things which all around him think unnecessary, to say the least. They blame him: it does not move him. They ridicule him: he does not give way. He loves the praise of God more than the praise of men. He fears offending Him more than giving offense to man. He has counted the cost. It is a small thing with him no whether he is blamed or praised. He is no longer the servant of fashion and custom. To please the world is quite a secondary consideration with him. His first aim is to please God.

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Sixthly, John says, "He that is begotten of God keepeth himself" — I John 5:18.

A man born again, or regenerate, is very careful of his own soul. He endeavors not only to keep clear of sin, but also to keep clear of everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He feels that evil communications corrupt the heart, and that evil is for more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the employment of his time: his chief desire about it is to spend it profitably. He is careful about the friendships he forms: it is not enough for him that people are kind and amiable and good-natured; all this is very well; but will they do good to his soul? He is careful over his own daily habits and behavior: he tries to recollect that his own heart is deceitful, the world full of wickedness, and devil always laboring to do him harm; and, therefore, he would fain be always on his guard. He desires to live like a solider in an enemy's country, to wear his armor continually, and to be prepared for temptation. He finds by experience that his soul is ever among enemies, and he studies to be watchful, humble, prayerful man.

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Such are the six great marks of being born again. Let every one who has gone so far with me, read them over with attention, and lay them to heart.

I know there is a vast difference in the depth and distinctness of these marks in different people. In some they are faint, dim, feeble, and hardly to be discerned. In others they are bold, sharp, clear, plain, and unmistakable, so that any one may read them. Some of these marks are more visible in some, and others are more visible in others. It seldom happens that all are equally manifest in one and the same soul. All this I am quite ready to allow.

But still after every allowance, here we find boldly painted six marks of being born of God. Here is an inspired Apostle writing one of the last general epistles to the Church of Christ, telling us that a man born of God, Does not commit sin, Believes that Jesus is the Christ, Does righteousness, Loves the brethren, Overcomes the world, and Keeps himself. I ask the reader to observe all this.

Now what shall we say to these things? What they can say who hold that regeneration is only an admission to outward church privileges, I am sure I do not know. For myself I say boldly, I can only come to one conclusion. That conclusion is, that only those persons are born again who have these six marks about them; and that all men and women who have not these marks, and not born again. And I firmly believe that this is the conclusion to which the Apostle wished us to come.

I post articles VERY seldomly
The black-eyed pea article was well recieved and some exxcellent recipes were made available.

Your post on the other hand has heaped scorn upon the Name of Christ by unbelivers and encouraged ridicule to the His Church. No matter what else you may say I wont reply here again in hopes the thread will just die.

You have heaped scorn on the name of Jesus ,by calling yourself a believer but behaving like the world.

You wanted to be the judge and jury as to any value on this thread...you took the 'high road' position that this was useless chatter..

You know what? The name of Jesus spoken once with reverence is of greater value that all the blackeyed peas recipes in the world.."and it was well recieved" ?? Well that obviously makes it of greater worth than a sermon by a godly man

Using your standard Christ had no value because he was not well received. Have you bothered to read the posts? Many are people sharing their moment of salvation...a time that lives in the heart of the saved..I am sorry that you see that testimony of less value than blackeyed peas..

John 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.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

John 3:3 ... again ....

509 anothen {an'-o-then}
from 507; TDNT - 1:378,63; adv

AV - from above 5, top 3, again 2, from the first 1,
from the beginning 1, not tr 1; 13

1) from above, from a higher place
1a) of things which come from heaven or God
2) from the first, from the beginning, from the very first
3) anew, over again

507 ano {an'-o}
from 473; TDNT - 1:376,63; adv
AV - above 5, up 2, high 1, brim 1; 9
1) up, upwards, above, on high
2) of the quarters of the heaven, northward
3) of countries, inland, up from the coast
4) of time, formerly
++++
In Gal. 4:26 the word could refer to either place or time,
i.e. place - the Jerusalem which is above - in the heavens
time - the eternal Jerusalem which preceded the earthly one

473 anti {an-tee'}
a primary particle; TDNT - 1:372,61; prep
AV - for 15, because + 3639 4, for ... cause 1, therefore + 3639 1,
in the room of 1; 22
1) over against, opposite to, before
2) for, instead of, in place of (something)
2a) instead of
2b) for
2c) for that, because
2d) wherefore, for this cause

1 Peter 1:15-25, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

313 anagennao {an-ag-en-nah'-o}
from 303 and 1080; TDNT - 1:673,114; v
AV - begat again 1, be born again 1; 2
1) to produce again, be born again, born anew
2) metaph. to have one's mind changed so that he lives a new life and
one conformed to the will of God

5746 Tense - Present

303 ana {an-ah'}
a primary prep and adv;; prep
AV - by 3, apiece 2, every man 2, each 1, several 1, two and two + 1417 1,
among 1, through 1, between 1, by 1, in 1; 15
1) into the midst, in the midst, amidst, among, between

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And yet, I was mocked recently for saying this ...
And at least one person thinks I am a lunatic for saying this ...
I also received plenty of grief for posting this sermon ...

I was recently mocked by talking about the external evidence of salvation ...

Maybe you are being mocked because you demonstrate a basic misunderstanding of what FreeRepublic is. Just in case it escaped your notice, FreeRepublic is not church, and when and how I worship my Creator is my own lookout. Repeatedly remonstrating that we are all going to sizzle on Hell's non-stick griddle forever for reading a Harry Potter book is just the sort of lunatic jabber that pretty much guarantees a good, stiff mocking in these parts.

If your goal is to become the new American Taliban, knock yourself out - hey, its a free country. Just stop humping my leg while you're trying your burqa on for size.

What a great thread you have going.. I trust the Lord will bless you as you fullfill the Great Commission online... I enjoy reading your straighforwarded yet polite responses.. Too many Christians today, apologise for their faith, we have a responsibility to the world.. I thought you might enjoy reading a message my wife sent to me and all our friends this Thanksgiving..

I wanted to share something with you today. About 2 1/2 years ago, I want getting to know a lady that was my husbands platoon sergeants wife. We had a lot in common, and we were hitting it off as friends. Her name was Kim. Her husband's father was a pastor, and yet, they both were not saved. I talked with Kim a lot! Sometimes for hours on the phone. I would briefly mention things here and there about our family, and Christ, but never really gave her the plan of salvation, or even invited her to church. I guess I assumed she knew, because of her husband's dad. I knew that she needed Christ, because of all the things that she confided to me ( as if we all didn't need Christ! ). But, I just never did. I thought my actions were enough, but I now know actions aren't always enough. I also thought that since her and her husband were good people, why the rush? Ugh! I have since learned my lesson on that too! Well, anyway.... She was a diabetic, who for some reason, didn't take her meds. One night we had talked ( another LONG conversation )and she was going to a funeral out of state. Her husband was staying at Bragg. While at the funeral, she stood up, and had a heart attack, and died ( as a result of not taking her meds ). She was only 26. I thought I had so much more time. I thought a lot of things! But, the first thing I thought was......... Why didn't I share the gospel?????? The Lord makes it clear to share the gospel with everyone! Not just the one's WE think need it, but everyone! Please consider doing that! This Thanksgiving, there are so many that are hungry, not just for that great turkey, but for Christ. Please give them that too. I just read a book about the woman at the well. Boy, did I feel convicted! I am so glad that we have God like that. One that comes to our well, when it's dry to fill us up. Let's share that more often with people, like the woman at the well! I wish with Kim, I would have that chance. Since then, I have jumped on the Lord's bandwagon ( but I have missed some I must confess ). But I hope I never let another Kim go by.

Have a great Thanksgiving!
Jennie

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3 NIV).

I can use someone like you on my staff someday..

May our Lord Richly Bless as you serve Him,

David C. Osborne
SSG, USA
Military Police
Eagle Base, Bosnia

David C. Osborne (For U.S. Senate in 2004)

Of course, you entirely missed the point of why I flagged you to that post.

How could I have ascertained your point when you never disclosed what your point was? I don't read minds, especially in fine print.

I could make a very good case that the post you flagged me to was a sermon and/or "My God can beat up your God" appendage-waving session. Don't want people to interrupt your sermons? Then don't flag them.

And I never talk about what somebody says about me without also flagging them.

Good for you. Try making a reply in the original thread next time, instead of drawing posters into different threads. That's called being a "troll," and its generally considered to be bad form.

Oh, and lumping me in with Harry Potter comments, for which you will in vain try and attribute to me, is more of the point of why I flagged you.

I display a general garment and you claim its cut to your fit. How instructional.

Please show me any post where I directly attributed any comments about Harry Potter to you personally.

Your faith is your own and you are prefectly welcome to it....

(sarcasm on)

Why thank you.

(sarcasm off).

You mock me for going to war against sin.

I mock nothing. I reserve the right to reply to those posters who flag me by name on their posts. If you choose to interpret replies to your posts as "mocking," then that's your own affair.

The point of my post is proven.

That you were trolling for replies? Thanks for the confirmation - its nice when the trolls self-identify. Makes it much easier to killfile them.

Your words impeach yourself, not me!

"I'm rubber, you're glue - whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you!"

I myself used that one in 2nd or 3rd grade. Hey, you use whatever works for you, OK?

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