What It Means to Be Born Again || Who Am I Again? || Part 1

I am alive in Christ.

Ephesians 2:5

NASB	NLT	VOICE
5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),	5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)	5 united us with the Anointed One and infused our lifeless souls with life – even though we were buried under mountains of sin – and saved us by His grace.

In the context of Ephesians, Paul is addressing the believers in Ephesus, a city that was known for its pagan worship and the Temple of Artemis. The Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis, who was associated with hunting, wild animals, and fertility.. It wasn’t just a religious site – it was a cultural powerhouse. The use of trespasses (sins/wrongdoings) shows deliberate acts of disobedience against God’s law. Salvation is a gift from God; it’s not something that we can earn. The concept of grace (Greek – charis) is central to Pauline theology, showing his undeserved favor towards us. 

As Christians, we must extend grace to others, showing the same grace that we’ve received from God. This undeserved favor transforms relationships and communities. We must treat others with the same grace we’ve received – without favoritism. God doesn’t pick favorites. God loves all of us equally, which means we need to love each other equally. There will always be things that we’ll disagree with, argue over, etc. However, how we respond to that disagreement shows wonders to everyone. I’ve heard it said, “You can hate what someone does, but you still have to treat them with respect.” You don’t hate the person in this situation, but you hate their words or their actions. You can still treat the human with the same love and compassion that God has given to us. 

I am born of God.

1 John 5:18

NASB	NLT	VOICE
18 We know that no one who has been born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.	18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely and the evil one cannot touch them.	18 We all know that everyone fathered by God will not make sin a way of life because God protects His children from the evil one, and the evil one can’t touch them.

In the context of 1 John, being “born of God” refers to the spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus. The Greek term John used suggests a continuous action, showing us that a true believer must continue to work to be more like Christ every day. The protection mentioned is understood as a part of our salvation that we receive from God. The assurance that Satan cannot “touch” the believer suggests a limitation of his power over those who are in Christ. Touch implies a harmful grasp or influence. This told John’s audience, and tells us that while Satan may tempt or accuse us – he cannot ultimately harm us standing before God. 

We must remember that we are not sinless. We are called to a life of everlasting repentance and growth in holiness. How do we do this? Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. When we become a Christian, our job is not done. Our job is just beginning. We did the right work in making our commitment to following Jesus, but that’s just the beginning. We are progressing to perfection, but the only perfect being is Jesus. Therefore, each day – we are working towards becoming who Jesus is. We will struggle, but we will seek God for forgiveness in how we missed the mark each day. We will work to understand how to apply the teachings and wisdom of God in everything we say and do. 

I am God’s child, born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, who lives and abides forever.

1 Peter 1:23

NASB	NLT	VOICE
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.	23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.	23 You have been reborn- not from seed that eventually dies but from seed that is eternal – through the word of God that lives and endures forever.

The concept of being “born again” is a foundation in Christian theology, showing a transformation from a life of sin to a new life in Christ. To be a perishable seed, it to be something that is temporary and subject to decay, much like human life and our natural world. The enduring nature of God’s word reminds us that it’s reliable and truthful across all generations. 

As ones who are born again, we’re called to live in a way to reflect our new identity. Becoming a Christian is simple; living it out is the real challenge.. From my experiences, Christians are very good at quoting scripture, teaching about certain parts of the Bible, and saying all the “right” things to people. We struggle, myself included, to live it out effectively so that we don’t come across as hypocrites. 

I am a new creation in Christ. 

2 Corinthians 5:17

NASB	NLT	VOICE
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.	17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!	17 Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone – and see – a new life has begun!

Something being “in Christ” shows a deep, spiritual union with Jesus. This union isn’t limited by ethnicity, social status, or past sins, reflecting the inclusivity of the Gospel. This transformation is not just a moral or ethic change, but one that renews our lives. The idea of a new creation reflects the Genesis story, where God created the world, showing that we are part of the new order that came into play by Jesus’ resurrection. The old way refers to our old way of living, characterized by our sin and spiritual death. The new way is our new life and identity found in Christ, marked by righteousness and holiness. 

As new creations, we must reflect the character to Christ. It’s the usage of our fruits of the Spirit like patience, and kindness. Jesus was one of the kindest people that you meet. He healed the blind. He fed the hungry. He raised the dead. He stood up for the marginalized. He gave a voice to the voiceless. He rescued us all from our bondage to sin through his own death. Dealing with all the people of life that he ran into I’m sure had to deal with various types of people. Patience is long-suffering – choosing to sit with others in the chaos, just as Jesus did.

Reflection Questions

1. What part of your “old life” has been hardest to let go of?
2. How are you actively living as a “new creation”?
3. WHo around you needs to experience the same grace you’ve been given?

Call to Action

Meditate on one of these verses. Ask God each morning, “How can I live this out today?”

Next part: Who Am I Again? #2