The phrase "born again" conjures up a variety of feelings and thoughts for most people. It has been used both as a categorical insult and a "members only" badge of sorts.
But what did Jesus really mean when He said "you must be born again?"
"Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again'." - John 3:5-7 (NIV)
Not be surprised? Had anyone ever been born twice? This was the question Nicodemus had asked immediately prior to hearing the verses above. In His response, Jesus was differentiating for the Jewish ruler the difference between physical and spiritual life. Both must begin at a distinct time.
As Anderson wisely points out, however, being born is not all there is to life. Indeed, it is only the beginning. The emphasis among Christians is often on a one-time spiritual rebirth, when in fact there is so much more to Christian life.
"When Jesus said that 'you must be born again', He was speaking about when and how spiritual life begins, not where it ends. Because while it is true that we cannot live unless we are born, it is also true that our lives cannot be reduced to the moment we enter this world and breathe our first breath. Finding identity in Christ cannot be confined to one moment, because union with Christ is not simply an event; it is a state of being, a way of existing. When we are united with Christ, He becomes the source of our life. He is our lifeblood, pulsing through our veins; he is our breath and the air we breath. We are not only reborn in Him. We live in Him (Anderson)."
This is brilliant imagery. As we grow and mature in our faith, we are becoming less like we were, and more like Christ.
"When you commit yourself to Christ, He will make you the purest, most authentic version of yourself. As He removes your sin, He will strip away the things that have kept you from reflecting His glory and having your existence illuminated by His. And as He does so, you will regain a complete sense of self (Anderson)."
When we find ourselves in Him, we are no longer bound by legalistic demands or personal striving. And such is the Good News! We are not on our own, struggling to become more like a perfect Savior. That Savior is working in us daily to make us more like Him.
As Anderson concludes, "God intends to reflect His identity through your identity. What He is, you will become. He is holy; you must be holy. He loves; so you must love. He forgives; so you must forgive... And yet, these are no longer legalistic demands placed upon us, demands that constantly mock our failure and inadequacy. They are not demands; they are His promises -- promises that He is fulfilling through Jesus Christ."
Questions:
1. What does the metaphor of being "born again" mean for us, in light of an ongoing life (not a one-time event)?
2. How does an identity shaped by the work God is already doing in us (as Christians) provide freedom from legalism and striving?
This is awesome. I haven't been able to read the chapter yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Maybe I will have more to add after I read it. I love the concept that legalistic demands under the law become promises of transformation in Christ! What is impossible on our own is possible through Christ as we identify ourselves with Him.
ReplyDeleteok, I really love this chapter. She is really starting to get to the meat of her message.
ReplyDelete"But faith teaches us that we will never be more truly ourselves than as we are conformed to God's nature through Jesus Christ." I know from personal experience that I am never as much at peace with myself as when I accept this fact and allow transformation in my life.
The metaphor of being born again is a tough one to explain. If being born again happens at the moment we accept Christ, then the process of transformation lasts until physical death. Those who accept Christ may be born again, but we are still hopelessly sinful without Him transforming our hearts.
An identity in Christ gives freedom from legalism and striving because HE has promised to become what we cannot be. He bore our sin, weaknesses, grief and fear for us. When He says, "love as I have loved you", we know we are not capable of obeying this command in our own strength. But by His grace He can accomplish that in us.
So how to we get there? I love how she summed it up:
"Instead of indulging in the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we must feast on Him. We must sustain ourselves on the ripe, luscious fruit of His nature-His love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control. And as we do, as we consume His identity - as He literally dwells in us--His Spirit will produce this same bountiful harvest in our lives as well."