Wrong Impression

Wrong Impression

February 3, 2025

Maybe I have given readers the wrong impression about how to become “born again.” It is essential that folks don’t misunderstand, since my purpose in writing essays is mainly to correct misperceptions related to understanding God, Jesus, and the Bible.

The process of my early education as I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s was learning by rote. Especially apparent in arithmetic this method states “These are the facts. Memorize them.” I am not saying that rote is a bad way of learning. I am saying that it is incomplete. For without knowing how to utilize the facts with rational thinking, the benefits of their applications are lost.

For example, in American History we were taught how the West was won and in what particular time frame. We know “Indians” lived here long before our European ancestors arrived. However, we don’t ask questions about the intricacies of the interactions and effects of the historical facts.

Turning to understanding the Bible, as to how to be “born again,” at the outset of His ministry and just after leaving John the Baptist, Jesus proclaimed that we must be born again — becoming born again is required to enter the kingdom of God.

In a conversation with a Pharisee, Nicodemus, Jesus taught:

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ “ — John 3:5–7, New International Version (NIV).

Naturally, Nicodemus responded, “How can this be?” (v. 9)

Jesus answered the “how” question in this way:

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” — John 3:20–21, NIV.

Being aware that God sees us anyways, instead of trying to hide like Adam and Eve in the story of the Garden of Eden, we might as well come to Him and admit our wrongdoing, asking for His forgiveness in order to receive restoration and a right relationship with Him.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6, (NIV).

Perhaps I should stop here, because that is all a person has to know about how to become born again.

Still and all, let me take an example of how learning by rote might interfere with becoming born again…

In Matthew 6:5–8 (NIV), Jesus taught:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the {churches} and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

When the Disciples privately asked Jesus how to pray, He used the illustration of what we today call the “Lord’s Prayer” or the “Our Father.” Many learn to recite it by memory, that is, by rote, and then repeat it as some sort of magical incantation.

Did Jesus mean for us to repeat it that way?

By understanding what Jesus was teaching in the verses just quoted, one can easily think it through to the conclusion, “No it’s not intended to be some kind of magical incantation.” Rather, Jesus showed us a way to approach conversations with God.

Just the idea that God wants a relationship restored to us, becoming part of God’s family, calling Him “Father” is what being born again is all about. Respecting Him. Keeping a proper relationship with Him. Seeking His will to be accomplished in our lives. Seeking His continuing protection.

God meets us where we are.

We don’t have to pretend we’re somewhere else or somebody else…

Here is a real person opening up and singing about this from her personal experience:

Lauren Daigle — You Say (Official Music Video)

Let me leave you with this encouraging excerpt from Matthew 7:7–11,

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” (v. 7–11)