Born Again
When Adonai Elohim, the Lord God, provides Salvation, by His grace and through the Faith we have in Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, the transformation process begins. This process, which changes our hearts and our minds, is not something we can do on our own; it is the Work of the Holy Spirit of the Living God. But what does it mean to be ‘Born-Again’. Although we first find this phrase in John 3, when Adonai Yeshua is speaking with Nicodemus, the concept is thoroughly Hebraic. When a pagan, called in Hebrew ‘goy’, wished to convert to Judaism, he/she would be immersed into what is known as a ‘mikveh’, containing Mayim Chayim, or Living Water, water which is flowing. The pagan immerses her/himself, without the aid of a Rabbi, otherwise it would be by another’s actions and not voluntary. Once immersed, the Jew emerges and the rabbi declares, the goy is dead, the Jew is born. When we became believers in the One, True God, we voluntarily died to sin, symbolized by immersing ourselves into Living Water, and were reborn into a new life with our Messiah. We call this baptism today.
Transformation of mind and heart is fruit of our being saved. Unfortunately, there are many who call themselves Christian, who are not born-again. Being born into a Christian home and living in a Christian community does not make one born-again. It is only through stepping forward (the meaning of faith – trust-in-action), confessing our sins and accepting His grace, freely given, we are saved. At this moment, we are born-again by the Holy Spirit of the Living God. This is such a mystery to human beings, although we continually seek understanding.
The Apostle Sha’ul/Paul shares with us, in Galatians 3:27, when he writes, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment. This is a stunning analogy, as it seems to tell us, when we are saved, born-again, we begin by wearing our Saviour. Imagine, our transformation begins with our taking on aspects of Adonai Yeshua, like completely new skin. Our prayers resonate with the assurance ‘my eternal life is wholly derived from You, my God’. Our walk and talk undergo change because I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
Beloved, celebrate this miraculous transformation each and every day. Allow your heart to sing with joy, realizing this free gift is yours!
And if you have not yet received the gift of Grace, which brings Salvation, perhaps this is the time to consider turning your life over to the one who loves you more than you can comprehend. Take that important step forward, confess your sins, ask Him, The Almighty God, to forgive you and receive this most precious of gifts – Salvation. Be Born Again!
Consider: There is only one Door to Salvation. Belief in Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, is the only way to Eternal Life. Buddhism, Taoism, or any of the other Eastern Philosophies do not and will not provide a way for anyone to receive this precious gift. Are you under the illusion all ways lead to Heaven? Are you prepared to bet your eternity on that assumption? What if your assumption is wrong? Are you willing to take the chance?
Action: If you wish to receive the GIFT of Salvation, you must signal to Yahweh, Hashem, Almighty God, you are ready in your mind and your heart. Step forward, confess your sin to Him and ask Him to begin the transformation process, which will prepare you for Eternal Life with the Sovereign of the Universe and the Lover of our souls.
Pray: Abba B’Shamayim, Father in Heaven, I come before You a sinner; I have not followed Your Life Instructions and have violated the standards of conduct outlined in Your Torah, Your instructions for our lives. I pray, Abba, You come into my life and begin the change process within me. Specifically, I ask for change in the following areas: (name those habits you wish to change – i.e. smoking, drugs, alcohol abuse, etc). I am ready to walk on Your Path and only Your Path. In your Precious Name I pray.
May Yahweh Bless you richly