Regeneration / Salvation (2 of 5)
Series: A Layman's Guide to Spiritual Maturity
Eddie Snipes
Over the years I have come to realize that many Christians do not truly understand what it means to become a Christian or as Jesus put it, to be born again. Since many do not understand this scriptural principle, it has an adverse affect on how we view evangelism and church outreach. Cultural Christianity often does not align with biblical Christianity. Many want a religion that will enrich their lives but without interfering with their lives. Biblical Christianity is quite different. Jesus taught a hard doctrine when He told His followers that unless they forsake their lives they cannot be His disciples. Christianity is not taking your life and fixing it up or making it better, but laying down your life in the flesh to take up a new life born through the Spirit. There is a transformation that takes place, not merely a renovation. Look at Jesus' teaching from 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.
...
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Jesus also said that finding the kingdom of Heaven was like a man who found a treasure in a field. He sold everything that he had to buy that field for the purpose of obtaining that treasure. In other words, when we truly recognize the value of the new life God is offering us, we will be willing to lay down everything in our old life for the joy of gaining the treasure of this new, eternal life. We can't have both; we must either cling to the old life or lay it down and grasp the new life.
Throughout scripture we are told that the old life in the flesh is dead spiritually and destined for condemnation. What the unbeliever does not yet realize is that Jesus condemned sin in the flesh by taking judgment upon Himself ...
Series: A Layman's Guide to Spiritual Maturity
Eddie Snipes
Over the years I have come to realize that many Christians do not truly understand what it means to become a Christian or as Jesus put it, to be born again. Since many do not understand this scriptural principle, it has an adverse affect on how we view evangelism and church outreach. Cultural Christianity often does not align with biblical Christianity. Many want a religion that will enrich their lives but without interfering with their lives. Biblical Christianity is quite different. Jesus taught a hard doctrine when He told His followers that unless they forsake their lives they cannot be His disciples. Christianity is not taking your life and fixing it up or making it better, but laying down your life in the flesh to take up a new life born through the Spirit. There is a transformation that takes place, not merely a renovation. Look at Jesus' teaching from 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.
...
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Jesus also said that finding the kingdom of Heaven was like a man who found a treasure in a field. He sold everything that he had to buy that field for the purpose of obtaining that treasure. In other words, when we truly recognize the value of the new life God is offering us, we will be willing to lay down everything in our old life for the joy of gaining the treasure of this new, eternal life. We can't have both; we must either cling to the old life or lay it down and grasp the new life.
Throughout scripture we are told that the old life in the flesh is dead spiritually and destined for condemnation. What the unbeliever does not yet realize is that Jesus condemned sin in the flesh by taking judgment upon Himself ...
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