Take a moment... There are two different meanings of "born again." The context in which today's evangelicals refer means a rebirth of the spirit while in this earthly body. The scripture that speaks of being born of the spirit is John 3:3... The way I read it; Jesus was making reference to a spiritual birth after physical death, which is required to enter the Kingdom. I hope you take the time to understand the difference... few people do. It is important to understand the difference!

I had been taught that once you are "saved" or "born-again" you had your ticket to heaven. Not so. Unless (possibly) you were to die at that moment.

Because there are two different teachings on the topic of "born again," let's use the term "begotten" in place of those two terms, "saved" and "born-again." The term "born again" became popular around the 1960's. In the King James Version (KJV) the scripture reads "born of God" and in the modern English translations it was changed to "born again." I believe that is when the confusion began. We must separate the two meanings.

Once we are "begotten" the Holy Spirit's influence is upon us. Our values change, our feeling towards God and other people will change. We are now ready to begin the road to "salvation" and the possibility of becoming born-again of the spirit upon our resurrection. This is accomplished through the process of living the doctrine, practicing the Godly walk that Jesus laid down for us. To live as a Christian, not just profess the doctrine but to live the doctrine, as much as possible. We still will fall short and fail from time to time but God forgives us when we confess our sin and ask forgiveness... AND TRULY MEAN IT IN OUR HEART we are heaven bound! It's not the movement of the lips, making words but the spiritual feeling. To my knowledge, God doesn't care about the formation of words, HE looks to the heart!

First you must realize that "born-again" is not what most people think it is. We are "born-again" of the spirit upon our resurrection. Because Jesus said you cannot enter the Kingdom in your flesh body that means you will enter heaven in your spiritual, born-again, body.

Jesus said, "You must be born again to enter the kingdom." He means that you cannot enter the kingdom in your earthly body. We will be resurrected in a spiritual body, that is, those of us who are worthy to enter the kingdom... Born again of the SPIRIT. In that same chapter Jesus speaks that flesh can't enter the kingdom... HE means that ONLY SPIRIT can enter the KINGDOM OF GOD. Therefore, you must be born again of the spirit.

I have no argument with those who say they are a "Born Again Christian" but I believe it is important to understand the original meaning.

So, when people proudly proclaim that they are a "born again" Christian, they are speaking of a new "born again" spirit. You can't be born again of the spiritual body until you die and are resurrected. To be more accurate, they could describe themselves as a "begotten" Christian. A repenting person who loves God and tries to live according to God's will.

"UNREPENTING" Is my word - Don't bother to look it up.

I remind you once again, this is my interpretation and my understanding, for your consideration.

Unrepenting sinners - those who do not make it to the kingdom will be destroyed in the place we call "hell." They will not be "born again" of the spiritual body that may enter the Kingdom.... The spirit is eternal... it can't be destroyed the way flesh can be destroyed. Imagine the indestructible spirit. It requires a special device, we call hell, to destroy it... Because the spirit is indestructible God created a special device (hell) to destroy those spirits that are not able to make the transition into the perfect spiritual body, the born again body.

If the spirit could be destroyed as easily as the flesh then SATAN could destroy it and that can't be possible. God is the ONLY entity that can destroy the spirit. HE is the JUDGE! According to scripture that duty has been assigned to HIS SON JESUS... Jesus, the judge of all. Satan and his fallen angels will be cast into hell, if satan had dominion over destruction of the spirit he would destroy that device (hell) because he knows that is his final destiny.

Note: Why do we need a new spiritual body to enter the Kingdom? Many reasons but for now just know that Satan is able to tempt the flesh and destroy the flesh but he can't tempt, destroy or have any influence over our new spiritual bodies.

Consider this verse... First John, Chapter 3, Verse 9... "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." That is a source of confusion for some because even though you may have had a "born again" experience, or as I call it, a "begotten" experience, you can still sin! Even though you are "saved," "born again" or "begotten" you can still sin. We are able to sin as long as we are in this flesh body... Not until we are born again of the spirit upon resurrection are we incapable of sin. Therefore, "born again" may be referrenced to the born again experience while still in this body or born again of the spirit upon the resurrection, allowing us to enter heaven. It seems obvious to me that Jesus was talking about the newly acquired body we acquire before entry into the Kingdom of God (heaven).

Once Saved Always Saved...
(A Feel Good Doctrine)

This false doctrine is one of the most dangerous doctrines ever taught. These folks have misused the term "saved" to the point of extreme danger.

According to their belief, once you utter a few sentences in the form of "The Sinner's Prayer" you are "saved" and heaven bound. According to the people I have known that have discussed this doctrine; from this point on, you can not fail to make it to heaven. That is their belief.

According to this false doctrine: Regardless what you might do or sin you may commit, you are "saved" and will be in the kingdom. Not so. Read the scriptures carefully. This is a "feel good" doctrine that is not scriptural and is a doctrine from hell. Do not risk your eternal soul by casually accepting this false doctrine.

One of the examples these folks use to prove their doctrine, is when King David cried out to God "Return to me the joy of my salvation." They will go on to explain that David did not say "save me again." This is a pretty flimsy analogy. It proves nothing! Had David not repented and begged God's forgiveness he would not have been heaven-bound but well on his way to hell.

Remember, the term "saved" is grossly misused. I would think the term "saved" is better thought of as that time which I was "begotten." A time when the Holy Spirit of Jesus came upon me and made me ready for my trip to salvation and the true "born again" experience upon resurrection in the spiritual form. The experience of being "begotten" alone will not take you to the kingdom. You still have to practice the doctrine of Jesus to the best of your ability until death of the physical body.

Remember, there is no magical prayer that makes you acceptable into the Kingdom of God. Unless you apply God's principles in the way you conduct your life, you are not "saved." On the bright side... when you are "begotten" it will be easier to WANT to live according to God's principles.

A person may be "begotten" on their death-bed and make it into the kingdom. The only requirement is that as long as you are alive in your earthly body, you live a life according to the principles Jesus gave us. I don't suggest waiting until you are on your death-bed, because the Holy Spirit may not present itself, it may be too late.

Jesus said, if you obey two commandments all of the other laws will automatically be fulfilled. Those two commandments are (paraphrased):
1. Love God with all your heart and mind.
2. Love your neighbor (others) as you love yourself.

If you are able to do these two things, from the heart, you will do the Christian thing. If you fail (and you will) you repent, ask forgiveness (and really mean it) and you are kingdom bound! A "Begotten Christian" on your way to eternity with the Lord. The longer you live the Christian life, the easier it becomes.

Summary...

Don't make the mistake that many are taught: That at a particular, moment, by saying a prayer or being baptized or some other ritual... that from that moment on you are guaranteed entry to the Kingdom (Heaven).

You may have been 'begotten' of God at that time... AND... if you were to die at that moment, you are heaven bound. However, if after that experience you continue to live in sin and do not repent of your sins, from the heart, you are NOT guaranteed anything. I am not judge and I do not wish to tell you for sure what the outcome will be for you. That is up to the all-knowing God and His Son Jesus.

................................................................................................

From the 'begotten' moment you are a newly conceived son/daughter of God and you are now in your period of gestation, on your way to becoming born again of the spirit.

As a matter of importance... This 'begotten' experience is FELT in your spirit and heart. It is not simply a ritual to which a person gives lip service. That's like getting married when you don't really feel love or caring for your mate, you just say "I Do" when you really don't mean it from the heart. Make sense?

Much is written about this... "Faith without works is useless" and so on.

Note: Heaven is not the "meaningless, lounge-around, place of relaxation" that most folks think. It is going to be a purpose filled, exciting experience, under God! Things to do! Missions to accomplish! So forget the harp and cloud picture - - - imagine your role in the fulfillment of God's work with plenty of excitement!

That's to the best of my knowledge as determined by scripture... not mindlessly quoted from a man-made, non-scriptural doctrine.

Your Friend,

John