Answers to questions Native North Americans are asking.
I have often heard the expression, "Born Again," but have never really figured out what it meant! What does that mean? What does that look like? How can you be born again?
A: The Bible teaches in Ephesians 2 that before Jesus gives us new life, we are spiritually lifeless. Verses 4 and 5 talk about how God made us alive with Christ: "Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ . . . "
Practically speaking, being born again, or accepting Jesus' results in our lives changing as we choose to live God's way. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here."
This speaks to the fact that our lives should reflect a godly lifestyle. After all, we have been given new lives, and many things from our old lives don't-and won't-line up with the new path we have chosen to follow.
In my life, accepting Jesus brought a whole new outlook on things. Where once l looked at myself very negatively, now l look at my life in a whole different perspective. I see myself as being valued and accepted by God as one of His children!
In John 3, Nicodemus, a respected elder, was confused when Jesus told him, "You must be born again." Part of Jesus' response to him was a verse that has become the most widely known verse in the world, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
This verse equates the concept of spiritual rebirth with belief in God's only Son, Jesus. We don't read that Nicodemus accepted this teaching at the time, but later on, his new life and new ways really showed through. If a respected, religious, and moral elder such as Nicodemus needed to be born again, how much more do those of us who aren't very righteous and upright need that new life in Christ?
To sum it up, the meaning of being born again is for us to put our faith in Jesus, asking Him to forgive our sins and to give us the new life that He spoke about in John 3.
Milly Jackson and her husband, Kene, have their home in southern Alberta, but spend much time traveling in music evangelism ministry. She grew up in the Cree/Métis community of Cormorant, Manitoba, and through marriage is a member of Whitefish Lake Band #128 (Alberta).
A: When a person confesses faith in Jesus Christ through confession from the mouth and belief from the heart (Romans 10:9–10), a new awareness has occurred within the heart. Genesis 1–3 tells us about the fall of humans: Adam and Eve lived sinless lives until they chose to rebel against God in their hearts, and thus brought spiritual death to themselves. They were now disconnected from their relationship from God.
Because of this, every human being born after Adam inherits spiritual death and a sinful, rebellious nature. When we become aware of our sin (feel conviction) and need of a Savior, Jesus, we come to trust and confess that Jesus is our Savior and Lord, at that moment we are born again spiritually-and God, the Holy Spirit, comes to reside in our hearts. Suddenly our desires will change, we will seek to grow in Christ in a lifelong journey of adventure, along with ups and downs in the Christian life. Now our citizenship is in heaven, with the presence of God forever and ever.
Frank Ward is married to Lori and lives in Lac La Biche, Alberta, where Frank pastors Kikino Bible Church. He loves teaching God's Word and outreach to the surrounding Métis community. Frank grew up in the Cree community of Loon Lake, Alberta.
