WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING BORN AGAIN?
What is the significance of being born again? What is the real meaning of being born again? How do you explain being born again?
Today we look at these questions and more, and when we are done, you will see that it is of extreme, extreme importance that we understand this. Being born again literally makes the difference between entering the kingdom of Aluah and being sent to the lake of fire.
HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN BEING BORN AGAIN?
But before I explain what it means to be born again, let’s start at the warning about this by HaMashiach. He actually told us that if we are not born again we cannot enter the kingdom:
Joh 3:3 Yahusha answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Aluah.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Yahusha answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Aluah.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT
So now we have laid down the importance of being born again. It is obvious that it is of absolutely 100% importance that WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!
Now the next thing we must be asking is “how do you explain being born again?”
I will begin by pointing to John 3:5.
Joh 3:5 Yahusha answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Aluah.
Being born again means being born of water and the Spirit.
But what does this mean?
For that, we need to go into the book of Acts…
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38[38]Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized (born of water) every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (born of the Spirit/Ruach).
Joh 3:5 Yahusha answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Aluah.
CONVERTED: A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING INTO WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BORN AGAIN
But being baptized is not all there is to be born again! You see, being born again is better understood by another term found in the Bible, which is the word converted.
Converted implies that we must be permanently changed/transformed. It cannot be a simple act of baptism and that is all there is to it. In fact, how many people have you known gotten baptized and were hardly changed, if changed at all?
Now this word “converted” is highlighted in the book of Psalms.
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
[13]Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
MEANING OF CONVERTED
So let’s look at the meaning of converted to better understand what it means to be born again:
converted
Hebrew: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûb
Pronunciation: shoob
Definition: A primitive root; to turn back ({hence} away) transitively or {intransitively} literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbially again:- ({[break} {build} {circumcise} {dig} do {anything} do {evil} {feed} lay {down} lie {down} {lodge} {make} {rejoice} {send} {take} weep]) X {again} (cause to) answer (+ {again}) X in any case ({wise}) X at {all} {averse} bring ({again} {back} home {again}) call [to {mind]} carry again ({back}) {cease} X {certainly} come again (back) X {consider} + {continually} {convert} deliver ({again}) + {deny} draw {back} fetch home {again} X {fro} get [oneself] (back) {again} X give ({again}) go again ({back} {home}) [go] {out} {hinder} {let} [see] {more} X {needs} be {past} X {pay} {pervert} pull in {again} put ({again} up {again}) {recall} {recompense} {recover} {refresh} {relieve} render ({again}) X {repent} {requite} {rescue} {restore} {retrieve} (cause {to} make to) {return} {reverse} {reward} + say {nay} send {back} set {again} slide {back} {still} X {surely} take back ({off}) (cause {to} make to) turn ({again} self {again} {away} {back} back {again} {backward} {from} {off}) withdraw.KJV Usage: return (391x), …again (248x), turn (123x), …back (65x), …away (56x), restore (39x), bring (34x), render (19x), answer (18x), recompense (8x), recover (6x), deliver (5x), put (5x), withdraw (5x), requite (4x), misc (40x).
Occurs: 1117
In verses: 952
Look carefully and you will see that convert means to turn back, not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point.
So if we are turning back, but not necessarily to the starting point, where then are we turning back to? The answer to this gives us interesting insights.
So let us begin with the question, “what are we turning back from?”
MANKIND’S BIGGEST OBSTACLE? SIN
The need to be born again is simply an acceptance that we were all born in sin and need to be rescued from this way of life.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 14:2 YAHUAH looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek Aluah.
Psa 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
We were all born in sinfulness with the burden of the inevitable judgment of Aluah, where we must answer for all that we have done in our lives.
THE FOUNDATION: WHY WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN
Hence if all were born in sin, it means something has to be done to change that. But is this possible?
Yes, we were promised a rebirth:
Joh 3:3 Yahusha answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Aluah.
BORN AGAIN BY THE WORD
And something is required to give us a rebirth that will transform us away from sin:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of Aluah, which liveth and abideth for ever.
So the incorruptible word of the Most High is able to give us a spiritual rebirth.
But how? The word was manifested in different ways:
- Spoken through the prophets (Heb 1:1)
- Through the word made flesh (John 1:14, Heb 1:2)
- Through Ruach HaQadosh (John 16:13)
But why do we need a spiritual rebirth?
Gen 2:16 And YAHUAH Aluah commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Where does Adam come into all this? Wasn’t it Yahusah HaMashiach that told us about being born again? Well, when Adam sinned, we inherited his penalty of death.
Remember this?…
“Thou shalt surely die.” – See Genesis 2:17.
In order for that curse to be carried out on us human beings, the descendants of Adam, sin was fashioned in us so that we can die:
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Aluah is eternal life through Yahusha HaMashiach our Master.
Sin leads us to death, but we have a choice: being born again of water and the Ruach through Yahusha HaMashiach.
Rom_8:13 For if ye live after the flesh (not born again), ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body (born again), ye shall live.
OUR BODY OF SIN: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING BORN AGAIN
Now there is nowhere that tells us more about this sin fashioned in us than the book of Romans, where Sha’ul (Paul) told us about our sinful nature. That is that part of us where we are “wired” to sin, unable to overcome its power on our own.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
That is the lot of the sinful man, who is walking in the flesh. Sin dwells in him making him do what he does not want to do. He is at mercy to himself, unable to do that which is right on his own for any extended period of time.
He is so helpless that even when he is told what is right from wrong, he gets excited by sin, and gets all manner of strange desires to lead him into more sin. That is simply because the sinful man heard a command to do that which was right!
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Aluah forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Rom 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Rom 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
BORN AGAIN AND RESTORED BACK TO RIGHTEOUS ADAM
So because we are under the curse of death inherited from Adam, we are helpless (on our own) to overcome sin. However, all praises to the Most High, he gave us help.
But before we look at our help, let us look at which point we should be converted (brought back) to.
Remember we said that “converted” means to turn back, not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point?
You see, if we are returned to our starting point, we will go back to our birth, as physical babies without sin, but having a sinful nature.
However, regardless that we need to be like little children to enter the kingdom, if we go back to the starting point of our physical birth, we would still be born again with our sinful nature!!!
It would be a restart for us to live the same sinful process over again!
In other words, we would still grow powerless to sin (see Romans 7).
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING BORN OF THE SPIRIT
Hence, we need to go back further than the fleshly birth.
We have to go back to being born of the Ruach, not of the flesh!
Remember…
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Since I am carnal, in order to obey the spiritual law, I too (like the law) have to also become spiritual!
That is why we have this…
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Master from heaven.
1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Like Adam, we were first carnal (natural). We must now be made spiritual through the second Adam.
Consequently, when we have this…
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Then, through the second Adam (Yahusha HaMashiach), the quickening Ruach that can make us spiritual, we are then born again (made spiritual). Then we can obey the spiritual law. Spiritual meets spiritual and bear witness.
Rom_8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of Aluah:
This is what this means below. We will become spiritual and be able to walk in obedience to the law (which is also spiritual):
Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Eze 11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their Aluah.
Ezekiel 11:19-20 is the promise (Acts 2:39) of the Holy Spirit that was given to us in Acts 2:38. Notice in Ezekiel 11:20, it now enables us to walk in obedience to the Most High.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF BEING BORN AGAIN?
So what is the most significant benefit of being born again?
It is this gift of Ruach HaQadosh that now enables us to overcome the penalty of death under Adam…
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Aluah is eternal life through Yahusha HaMashiach our Master.
So this eternal life begins with being born again of water and the Spirit/Ruach (John 3:5). And this will be the end result:
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh (not born again), ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body (born again), ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of Aluah, they are the sons of Aluah.
So being born again, we become spiritual and are now led by the Ruach of Aluah, thereby making us his sons, and if sons, then heirs to the kingdom!
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of Aluah:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of Aluah, and joint-heirs with HaMashiach; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
HAMASHIACH IS OUR RECONCILIATION TO CONVERT US BACK TO THE MOST HIGH
So the Most High in all his mercy has provided us with his son to reconcile us back to him, to bring us back to the state Adam was in before he sinned.
2 Corinthians 5:14-20
[14]For the love of HaMashiach constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
[15]And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
[16]Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known HaMashiach after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
[17]Therefore if any man be in HaMashiach, he is a new creature (born again): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18]And all things are of Aluah, who hath reconciled us to himself by Yahusha HaMashiach, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19]To wit, that Aluah was in HaMashiach, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
[20]Now then we are ambassadors for HaMashiach, as though Aluah did beseech you by us: we pray you in HaMashiach’s stead, be ye reconciled to Aluah.
BEING BORN AGAIN RESTORES US TO RIGHTEOUS ADAM
So in effect, we have to reverse what Adam and Eve did!
This is something most do not understand, but being born again means we go back to sinlessness; we go back to Adam and Eve before the first sin.
As a result, we will end up like this:
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1Jn 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jn 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of Aluah was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of Aluah doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of Aluah.
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of Aluah are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of Aluah, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Of course this does not mean that we might not occasionally sin. Why else then would John say this?
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yahusha HaMashiach the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
So if we sin unintentionally, Yahusha HaMashiach is our advocate. We pray to the Father in the name of the son, as the son is our atonement to the Father for us.
BORN AGAIN: A CALL TO PERFECTION
But generally, we must be perfect as Adam was!
Lev 11:45 For I am YAHUAH that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your Aluah: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Eph_5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
That is what it means to be born again.
We must reach the point of perfection.
BORN AGAIN: OVERCOMING THE POWER OF SATAN’S DECEPTIONS
Hence we will overcome the power of Satan over us because we will go back to the point where he cannot deceive us! He will not be able to blind us and use us at his will (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
Let’s go back again to the beginning.
Genesis 3:1-3
[1]Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which YAHUAH Aluah had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath Aluah said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
[2]And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
[3]But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Aluah hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And we know what happened next.
The serpent deceived Eve.
Why?
What caused Chuah (Eve) to fall for this deception?
Let’s see.
Satan began by saying:
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For Aluah doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Now what inspired Chuah to sin?
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Breaking down the decision-making process? What caused Chuah to sin?
- Lust of the flesh: “when the woman saw that the tree was good for food.”
- Lust of the eyes: “and that it was pleasant to the eyes.”
- Pride of life: “a tree to be desired to make one wise.”
Unfortunately since then, all these three temptations have plagued all of mankind.
Happily though, when we are born again, pride of life, lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes will not have dominion over us. Instead, we will focus on spiritual things, not on things of the earth:
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with HaMashiach, seek those things which are above, where HaMashiach sitteth on the right hand of Aluah.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
And we will be able to reach to this point:
1Jn 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of Aluah abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of Aluah, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
EXAMPLE OF BEING BORN AGAIN? BEFORE KEFA’S (PETER’S) CONVERSION
So let us see this process at work. We are going to look at Peter (Kefa) before he was converted and after he was converted.
Before Peter’s conversion, he did many powerful things. In fact, when HaMashiach sent them out, they shook the kingdom of darkness to the point that HaMashiach said he saw Satan falling from the sky like lightning.
Luk 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Master, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Yet Peter and the others were not converted!
But why?
Because we cannot be converted/born again without Ruach Ha’Qadosh (John 3:3-8), and the disciples did not receive the indwelling of the Ruach before this…
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And then this incident happened at Pentecost in Jerusalem, and Peter, the disciples and the whole world would never be the same…
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS IS NOT A SURE INDICATION THAT ONE IS BORN AGAIN
Significantly therefore, because Peter did so many great things before being born again (Luke 10:17-20), it is a sure indication that the manifestation of miracles, signs and wonders is no sure signifier that one is born again!
Indeed, that is why HaMashiach told us this:
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So beforehand, HaMashiach had made this blatantly clear in this conversation with Peter, that he (Peter) was not converted.
Luke 22:31-34
[31]And the Master said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
[32]But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
[33]And he said unto him, Master, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
[34]And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
WITHOUT BEING BORN AGAIN, WE ARE FEARFUL
So using Peter’s example, we see that when we are not converted, we will be fearful! That is a sure sign of not being born again.
Remember John 3:8 says we will be able to be tossed to and fro by the wind (when we are born again). A fearful person will not be able to be used as the Most High sees it fit. The fearful person will quench the Ruach (1 Thess 5:19).
That is why Peter denied HaMashiach. He was fearful.
Mark 14:66-72
[66]And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
[67]And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Yahusha of Nazareth.
[68]But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
[69]And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
[70]And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
[71]But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
[72]And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Yahusha said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
AFTER CONVERSION/ BEING BORN AGAIN?
But Peter also showed us that after one is born again, there is a drastic difference!
One becomes emboldened, brave, willing to suffer afflictions, shame, punishment, ridicule. In other words we will have the Ruach or Spirit of HaMashiach:
1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward Aluah endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with Aluah.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because HaMashiach also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Verse 25 above tells us that we were gone astray, but have now been born again ( returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls). Hence we will have the Ruach HaMashiach.
Regrettably, If we do not have the Ruach (born again), then we do not belong to him…
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Aluah dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of HaMashiach, he is none of his.
Now getting back to Peter. We saw how he actually denied HaMashiach thrice before he was converted, but at Acts 2 Pentecost, he became bold after receiving the gift of the (indwelling) Ruach.
He was so transformed that in the book of Acts, instead of being shy or fearful, he was bold and willing to celebrate being beaten and suffering for the sake of HaMashiach.
Acts 4:18-21
[18]And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Yahusha.
[19]But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of Aluah to hearken unto you more than unto Aluah, judge ye.
[20]For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
[21]So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified Aluah for that which was done.Acts 5:40-42
[40]And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Yahusha, and let them go.
[41]And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
[42]And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Yahusha HaMashiach.
So if you are shy to declare the word of the Most High, or fearful to stand up for his name, then it should get you thinking about whether or not you have actually been born again.
10 INDICATORS THAT YOU MAY BE BORN AGAIN
As a bonus in this post, here are some ways in which can help us to know if we are born again:
- We are new, totally different from the person we were before repentance and baptism (2 Cor 5:17)
- We walk sinlessly (1 John 3:1-10)
- We are not fearful (2 Tim 1:7)
- We are not shy to proclaim the names and word of the Father and his son. Shyness is as a result of pride and is also a manifestation of fear (Rev 21:8, Mat 10:33)
- We walk in the fruit of the Ruach (Gal 5:22-24)
- We totally deny ourselves (Mat 16:24)
- We are totally led by the Ruach YAHUAH (Rom 8:14)
- We bear the image (likeness of HaMashiach (Rom 8:29, 1 Cor 15:49)
- We are not afraid to suffer persecution, trials and afflictions (1 Peter 2:19-25)
- We will be walking in the Ruach (Rom 8:1)
IF WE EVER GO BACKWARD AFTER BEING BORN AGAIN?
And finally, what if after being born again, we go backwards into the snare of the wicked one? Will we have a chance to be restored?
Let’s see what the word says!
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Master and Saviour Yahusha HaMashiach, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Ouch!
That is not a good look at all for those of us who take this walk to be trivial. In fact, if we look in the book called the Revelation of Zepheniah, we see some dire consequences.
REVELATION OF ZEPHENIAH CHAPTER 10 VERSES 8-11
Catechumens refers to those who have been prepared to be baptized.
Look what happens when these were not converted!
Really something to think about, isn’t it?
The road to salvation is not an easy one. We have to give up everything and allow ourselves to be born again/converted/transformed.
conclusively, let me leave you with this…
John 3:3 Yahusha answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Aluah.
Hopefully we now have a good understanding as to what this really means.
Shalom.
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