--- Rebirth? ---
Are you born again by God's Spirit?
Do you understand what the Bible "rebirth" even means?
(John 3:1-8)
Written: September of 2022.

Please consider additional scriptures dealing with being born again as a new Creation: Writing these Bible studies or devotionals bring me great joy! It gives life purpose... It can also be hard: Striving every day to learn more from Christ, and then, to put what I learn into words (as my living sacrifice to first understand, and then convey, Bible truth), is  a little like  is being reborn  as another  as a new person. The Bible describes it as becoming a new creation. (2 Cor 5:16‑21) It requires I constantly let go of (scrape off) what I have previously believed and hoped and desired. (Col 3:9‑14) It seems reasonable to liken it to how a newborn must feel when going through childbirth pains with its mother. After the brief struggle, however, it is born as a brand new person! Our spiritual mother is Christ's heavenly Kingdom. (Gal 4:26 of 19‑26) My point in writing this: To try and help you understand how wonderful it is to  start to  believe our "personal rebirth" (as followers of Christ) is coinciding with the rebirth (revelation) of God's kingdom over all the earth! (Acts 17:29‑31; 1 Cor 15:12‑28; Acts 17:26‑27 of 22‑31)

As a young man, I spent two years in the military during a time of war. (VietnamJC.com) With rare exception, that meant I was separated from family and friends and loved ones for those two years. That time was spent in service to my nation and that service consumed nearly every aspect of my life. With some training and equipment, my nation gave me a temporary rebirth as a soldier.

I find becoming a follower of Christ has some similarities. This time, my rebirth is as a Christian. And this time, I pray, my transformation is not temporary. All my life I've had dreams and expectations that gave little regard to my Creator and his purpose for me as one of his children. All that turmoil and seeking for what I thought I desired (but was actually "enticed" to desire) only led to strife and suffering and disappointment. (1 Tim 6:10 of 3‑16) That's why I finally turned to God, who then led me to Christ. (John 6:44; John 6:65) (I was a believer in God most all my life, of course, but I was sadly misguided by religion. [1 Tim 1:12‑16] It might have been I had a lack of desire for truth that allowed me to be misguided.) Even professing faith in God for those years, I never really put forth a lot of effort to know and to please him; continually. (Luke 9:23) Also, however, I didn't understand I just needed to read the Gospels and actually listen to Christ. (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) Much of that time I was misguided to believe I needed to find a "religion" to help me. It is not because I'm a good man that I'm turning to God, but because I grew tired of suffering at my own hand. (1 Tim 6:10 of 3‑16) My belief is turning to Christ is helping me become a righteous man; bringing true relief by helping me be reborn into friendship with God! (John 15:11-16)

And once again, I find my service to Christ's kingdom (which is also bettering my-own-self, of course - Heb 11:6) separates me from my family; at least to some degree. (Mat 10:34-36) I spend much of my time studying the Bible, which leads to writing these devotional Bible studies. That takes time and energy I could otherwise spend running about the country visiting with my large family. I do, of course, send them what I do have to offer that has value. And yes, what I have of value is these devotional's. (Acts 3:1‑8) I have become convinced the "truth" is the most important thing in life... And, that God's word  is  defines truth! (Psa 119:160; John 18:37) While my efforts are not appreciated by all people, (John 15:20-21; John 14:20-21; Mark 5:17 of 1‑17) many seem to love these scriptural meditations. Sometimes, people offer praise for my work; which makes me feel really good. That makes me feel compelled to warn, however, my work is different from any other preaching I am aware of, and, it's not really "my" work. Most preachers seek the praise and glory of their followers (their sheep). Religionists mostly just work (constantly) to find and keep followers for their sect. My hope and faith is I'm not like that. I am convinced I seek people who want to become or remain followers and friends of Christ Jesus. (John 15:14-15) That does require, of course, they first be drawn toward Christ by God's spirit. (John 6:44; John 6:65) I hope you can understand the huge difference between seeking to know the true God through his truth in Christ, and just wanting to be part of some religion. So, there is really no place for praise of me and you can see why I say it's not "my" work. (Mark 10:17‑18) The very best I can accomplish is directing to Christ! I just want to help sincere and kind hearted people understand why it is so hard (impossible really) to have true faith and be happy as part of any religious sect. I want to help everyone understand the common failing of all religious people: Including even sincere people who remain just "religious people" but not Christians. Understand: religious people are not directing others to Christ Jesus, but to the writings and teachings of their chosen sect. That is what defines them to be religious people; in opposition to Christians! Catholics are defined by a catholic doctrine of faith, as are Baptists and Lutherans and Jehovah's Witness and all the many others. Being an actual follower of Christ defines all true Christians as Christians. (Acts 11:26) Anyone who listens to me for just a few minutes will understand they have heard every important thing I have to say. That's because all I have to say amounts to different ways of encouraging you to follow God's only later day command: "Listen to the Son of God!" (Mat 17:5; 1 Cor 11:1) All that said, I do believe I can help people learn about Bible history and prophecy. (Bible Theme Overview.) And, that Bible history exists as a tutor leading to Christ. (Gal 3:23-26) So... The Bible tells us we should all always be primarily listening to Christ Jesus himself. While I herein try to describe my own rebirth, your personally drinking in the words of Christ is where your own rebirth must come from.

There are actually two distinct rebirths you should have faith in; if you hope to receive the one and be part of the other. The first and most important is not just possible but is certain and is happening right now. We are witness to the rebirth or reestablishment of God's Kingdom rulership over the earth. (1 Cor 15:24-28 of 12-28) The second rebirth, and likely most important to you, is your personal opportunity to be reborn as a spiritual person. (John 3:1‑8) What a wonderful thing to be favored to live at the only time in human history when you can have the two rebirths coincide for you. That grants you to be among the first people ever who can live forever without dying. (John 11:25-26; Job 33:13-30)

Since God's creation rebelled in the Garden of Eden about 6000 years ago, God has allowed time for the rebels to demonstrate whether mankind would do better following his directions for life, or would be better served trying to govern ourselves. That's what the rebels in the Garden asserted; that they would better on their own. We today see the evidence of the 6000 year test mankind thus forced upon themselves; "upon ourselves." The tribulation of these last days (the last days of mankind ruling themselves) is the result of our own chosen self-rule apart from God. If God didn't step in to save us, we would soon destroy ourselves completely. (Mark 13:19‑20) Thankfully, Christ is now revealed from heaven (in the eyes of all those who have faith - 2 Kings 6:15‑17) and will soon bring an end of the tribulation we have created. (Acts 17:29‑31; 1 Cor 15:12‑28)

What about your own personal rebirth? Are you, or are you becoming, a new creation? (Gal 6:15; 2 Cor 5:17) Do you understand what that even means? All righteously inclined people seek for God in what ever reasonable way they can think. (Heb 11:6; 2 Chron 16:9) God then uses his spirit to direct each sincere person to the Bible and to the teachings of Christ. (John 6:44) Jesus said we must be born again by Holy Spirit. (John 3:1‑8) He said no one can come to him unless they are first drawn by his Father's Spirit. (John 6:44) Jesus also said God's Spirit is alive in the words he taught us. (John 6:63) We are born of water from our mother's belly, and from spirit when we are drawn to Christ by God and then take in God's Spirit in the words of God's son! (John 3:5) Listening to and following the words of Christ remakes us (gives us a new birth) as a new creation. (2 Cor 5:17 of 16‑19; Gal 6:15 of 12‑16) Persisting in (meditating on) the words of Christ is eating his flesh and drinking his blood... (John 6:53)

I often give tearful thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father for his gift of life; (Rev 4:8) the life that has allowed me to witness his wondrous creation. (Rom 1:20) I am thankful, as well, to have seen some of the beautiful things his earthly sons and daughters have created and done. (Heb 12) Those choosing righteousness by following Christ are awe inspiring. I am most happy to be alive at the time of the Revelation of his son to destroy Satan and all his works. (1 John 3:8; Rev 14:9‑12 of 7‑15) Satan's works include all God's human sons and daughters who refuse to stop doing harm to others. (1 Cor 6:9‑11; Gal 5:19‑21 of 14‑26; Eph 5:5 of 3‑17; Rev 22:15 of 14‑21) In their choice to refuse God's help, they place themselves beyond being prayed for even by Jesus... (John 17:9 of 1-26) I am overjoyed to see the restoration of the paradise our Father created 6000 years ago in the Garden. How wonderful to be alive and have opportunity to experience our own personal rebirth, at the same time as (or during) the rebirth of God's Kingdom over the earth. (Acts 17:29‑31; 1 Cor 15:21‑28 of 12‑28) Can you see how that grants us opportunity to be among the very first people to live forever without having to die? (John 11:26; Job 33:13‑30; Isa 11:1‑12; Psa 110 & 111) Make yourself a survivor of the tribulation (Luke 17:26‑30) by building and expressing truth faith in the words of Jesus Christ. (John 6:28‑29; Psa 93:5‑7 and 10 of 1‑16) Have faith in Jesus's many promises that our own faith will heal us! (Mat 9:22; Eph 2:8; Mark 10:52; Luke 7:50; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42; Acts 14:9; Luke 8:48 of 42‑48; John 7:37‑39; John 19:34) See you soon, then, in paradise. (Psa 37:10-11; Psa 37:29; Isa 11:1-12)


Use browser "Back Arrow" or Alt+Left_Arrow keys to previous page.   |   Home Page