"Truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again", Jesus replied.
"How can someone be born when they are old?", Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!"
- Gospel Of John 3:3-4
These commonly recited verses are found in the Gospel Of John in the New Testament.
Nicodemus seems to think being born again involves a second physical birth and that doesn't make sense to him. Is a second physical birth what this Scripture passage is pointing to?
Some people would respond that "born again" refers to being born again from above, or from God. This is a conclusion that is based on the Biblical context these were written in. Any way you put it, it is a subject that comes up a lot in discussing Christianity.
So, What Is "Born Again"?
However you want to describe it, what Jesus refers to as "born again" is meant to be life changing. That is why this blog post is examining some practical ways to look at being born again. As the author experienced what this is referring to this post includes some speculation based on experience.
Here is the author's plain-spoken list of things that change in your life after a spiritual awakening. A person with a spiritual awakening:
- experiences more peace when bad things happen.
- is more willing to make mistakes.
- realizes bad can lead to good.
- understands the world does not owe you happiness.
- knows God is working through you for good of the whole.
- concludes that when you judge others you have probably caused the same feeling to someone else.
- wants to use their gifts for a larger purpose.
Are these some of the things you would have thought? If someone has had a similar experience please feel free to comment and add to the list.
What these things have in common is that there is not an emphasis on an easy life or material riches anymore. Instead there is a focus on something deep within that leads you to think it is all for a larger purpose. Like they say, when you die you don't take your possessions with you, but you take your character.
In a way "awakening" implies you were asleep before. This is true, in a manner of speaking.
How Does It Feel To Have A Spiritual Awakening?
Born again implies a new way of looking at things in general. For instance the realization that life on earth is temporary and short seems to be something the average person sweeps aside on a day to day basis. People might think of what they will leave their children, but thinking you will not be there is difficult.
As a person is born again the trials of the world do not have as large of an impact. Yes, you will still get frustrated, impatient and uneasy. Yes, things will not always go your way and you will wonder why they are happening to you.
From the new perspective, however, you realize it is all planned for something larger and for your own good. Isn't that refreshing?
Don't let people fool you. You CAN be born again.
Author: Albert Wagner
