If I am not born again - then what am I?

Hello To All:

"Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel" ... "I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King."  (Isaiah 43:14a-15).

The above quote from Isaiah, begins this essay, as a reminder of God's eternal relationship, with His chosen people, the Jews, the people of Israel; as well as a reminder of the previous eight essays, examining the nature of what it means to be "born again"; and the truth that one day the Lord our God will cause the nation of Israel (and it's individual members) to be redeemed: to be "born again."

Having reminded ourselves of the application of the phrase "born again," as applying to the people of Israel, it is now time to answer the question posed by the title to this essay: "If I am not born again - then what am I?" How do we, as New Testament believers, rightly identify ourselves, with regards to this supernatural transaction, when the Holy Spirit causes us to be converted to Jesus Christ?

It has been said before; and it is good to say it again: context is everything with regards to rightly understanding the meaning of any given portion of the King's Book; and who the audience is - is a question that must be answered with regards to understanding the context of any given text.  Once we understood that the John Chapter three conversation, with Nicodemus, was a very Jewish context with a very Jewish audience; it made a right understanding of the phrase "born again" possible.

Let us take a look at an earlier portion of John's gospel, where a different audience - a broader audience - is being addressed.  It is written at John 1:12-13; "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

"BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM ... WERE BORN ... OF GOD."  These words, from the above text, are capitalized to get our focused attention on the truth, so clearly stated: Those who are converted to Jesus Christ are "BORN ... OF GOD": They are not born again!  This is not the only appearance of this stated truth that those of us who belong to Jesus Christ are "born ... of God."  Please consider carefully, the following:

1. (1 John 2:29): "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is BORN OF HIM."
2. (1 John 3:9): "Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD."
3. (1 John 4:7): "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God."
4. (1 John 5:1): "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."
5. (1 John 5:4): "For whatsoever is BORN OF GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
6. (1 John 5:18): "We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

It is my most fervent hope, my beloved brethren, that you are getting this.  The phrase "born of God," appears six times and the phrase "born of him," appears once in First John. These usages are all stating the same truth recorded at John 1:12-13.  All of these usages are referencing those who belong to Jesus Christ.

It also must be noted, that the appearance of the phrase "born of God," occurs before and after the appearance of the phrase "born again." First, the apostle John is used by the Holy Spirit to show us God's broad plan for all of humanity - then He is used by the Holy Spirit to affirm God's eternal plan for His chosen people, the Jews, the people of Israel (please see previous eight essays) - then He is once again used by the Holy Spirit, to affirm in a most dramatic and repetitive way, that New Testament believers are "born of God." Can we say thank you Jesus of Nazareth?

At this point in our consideration, I would like to suggest that you take some time and review the essay of 4/25/12 titled: "You hath He quickened: The temple of God."  This essay helped us to understand that our dead spirit was "quickened" - that is made alive at the time of our conversion to Jesus Christ. The apostle John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, describes this event as being "born of God." It is a first time event, never to be repeated.  Thus, we are "born of God," only once; and never born again!

When we comprehend the truth of one portion of the King's Book, we will find ourselves in a better position to comprehend the revelation of truth to be found in other portions of The Book.  For example: both 1 John 3:9 and 1 John 5:18 make note that the one who is "born of God," is the one who "sinneth not."  This can only be rightly understood in the context of our "born of God" spirit that is now alive; and has become the holy place, of the temple not made with human hands (again, I encourage you to take a look at the essay titled: "You hath He quickened: The temple of God").

In this holy place, where our spirit is in eternal communion with the fullness of Father, Son and Holy Spirit: sin cannot enter in. The holy place, of the temple not made with human hands is protected from sin by the presence of God.  At this point in our Journey with Christ Jesus, sin can only influence our soul and our flesh (we shall look more deeply at this in future essays). Can we once again say thank you Jesus of Nazareth?

Thus: in answer to the question: "If I am not born again - then what am I?" - Let it be proclaimed - for all of the world to hear: I am born of God! And I say thank you Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen and Amen and Amen!

Before we continue with our comparative study of the physical temple of Israel and the spiritual temple not made with human hands, the Spirit of God compels me to write regarding one more hard thing.  We are going to ask the question: "Do we believe God?" We are going to take a look at something very specific that should prove to us, that most of us truly do not believe God.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus