Is You Must Be Born Again a Metaphore
Question
What does it mean to be built-in of the Spirit?
Reply
The Bible uses several metaphors involving birth to aid explain what it means to have a saving relationship with Jesus. We find terms such equally born again (John 3:3), born of God (John 1:13), and born of the Spirit (John 3:half-dozen). They all mean the same thing. Nativity metaphors are used because we all understand physical birth. When a baby is built-in, a new person emerges into the world. The new life will grow, and the immature person will come up to resemble his or her parents. When we are born of the Spirit, a "new person" arrives with a new spiritual life. And equally nosotros abound, nosotros come to resemble our Begetter in heaven (Romans eight:29).
People try to know God through a variety of means: some try religion or following an ethical lawmaking; some turn to intellect or logic; others attempt to find God in nature; and others through emotional experiences, believing that God inhabits any feelings they can muster when they think about Him. None of those bring us one stride closer to actually communing with the God of the Bible considering He cannot be known through our moral codes, our minds, our environment, or our emotions. He is Spirit, and those who would worship must worship "in spirit and in truth" (John four:24).
Imagine trying to pigment a portrait using a hammer and nails or trying to bake a meal using pen and paper. It would not assistance to try harder or weep over it because both tasks are impossible given the tools mentioned. Then it is with the mankind and the Spirit. We cannot commune with a holy, incorporeal Being using sinful, fleshly means. Unless our spirits are reborn with life from God'due south Spirit, nosotros only exercise non accept the capability to fellowship with Him. We must exist born of the Spirit.
God has instituted a way for fallen human beings to enter His holy presence, and it is the but way we can come to Him. Jesus said, "I am the style, the truth, and the life. No ane comes to the Father except through me" (John fourteen:six). When Jesus offered Himself as a cede for sin (John x:18) and rose once again, He opened a door that had been locked. When He died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in 2, symbolizing the fact that He has made a manner to enter God'due south presence. God has opened the door to heaven so that whoever trusts in His Son's sacrifice can exist born again in his or her spirit (Mark 15:38).
When we place our faith in the risen Christ, a divine transaction takes identify (2 Corinthians five:21). God removes from us the sin, guilt, and condemnation we deserved because of our rebellion against Him. He throws our sin every bit far as the east is from the w (Psalm 103:12). At the moment of repentance and faith, the Holy Spirit breathes new life into united states, and our bodies become His temple (i Corinthians iii:16). Our spirits can at present commune with God's Spirit every bit He assures us that we belong to Him (Romans eight:16).
Nosotros might remember of the human spirit like a deflated balloon that hangs lifeless inside our hearts. Nosotros are scarcely enlightened of its existence until God calls our names and an awakening begins. When we answer to God's call with repentance and faith in what Jesus Christ has done for salvation, nosotros are born of the Spirit. At that point the balloon inflates. The Holy Spirit moves into our spirits and fills united states. He begins His transforming work so that we begin to resemble Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:29).
At that place are only ii types of people in the world: those who are born of the Spirit and those who are not. In the terminate, merely those two categories affair (John 3:3). Our earthly lives are extended opportunities for united states of america to respond to God's call and become built-in of the Spirit (Hebrews 3:15).
Questions well-nigh Salvation
What does it hateful to be built-in of the Spirit?
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This folio last updated: Jan iv, 2022
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