Page 807 … becoming Born Again
“When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, he used an illustration Nicodemus could easily understand. A newborn baby entering its life was a perfect illustration of a person beginning a new life with God … Jesus called it being ‘born again’ — a new birth. He also called it being ‘saved’.”
Well, actually, as I have already stated previously, the ancient manuscripts had Jesus calling it being “born from above” (the Greek anothen, meaning “from above” – or “anew” – or “from the beginning” – or “from one’s origin” – or “again as a little child”) … Of course, you are correct in stating that it really doesn’t matter what we call it. And you are also correct in noting that all of the terms you mentioned (and all the ones I mentioned thereafter) do essentially mean the same thing. Where Jesus & I both differ with you & yours is what that term meant to him, and therefore what he meant when he uttered it …
Consider the following biblical Truths related thereto:
*A) Regardless of what “Heaven” might mean to you (or to your preacher, or to anyone else you know), to Jesus “Heaven” was a state of being; a potential Oneness with God that always existed in every present moment – every right Here & every right Now (see Luke 17:20-21 & Matthew 3:2 & Matthew 10:7 & Mark 1:15 & Luke 23:43 & John 12:31 et al) …and,
*B) Regardless of what “Born Again” might mean to you (or to your preacher, or to anyone else you know), to Jesus “Born Again” meant to literally choose to “become again as a child” – humble and appreciative and joyful and caring and kind; in essence to become the embodiment of Divine Love; often via the purposeful sacrifice of one’s own desires in order to enhance the Peace & Joy of others (see John 1:12 & John 3:8 & John 13:34-35 & Matthew 18:3-4 & Mark 10:14-15 & Matthew 11:25 & Luke 10:21 et al).
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