Last month I wrote about the need to be born again. The
inclinations of the human heart toward hatred, lust, and envy can only be
solved through a supernatural renewal, by receiving the mercy of God through
Jesus. Now, what happens after you are born again?
Become a Child of God
God is outside of creation, and certainly beyond complete human
understanding. The Bible uses several metaphors to help us understand God, and
one reoccurring metaphor is that of a Father. This metaphor shows us first and
foremost the character of God – a parent who loves his children, desires
reconciliation with them, takes care of them, and occasionally rebukes and
instructs them.
When we are born again, the Bible says it is like we are
adopted into God’s family. “But as many as received him [Jesus], to them
gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of
man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)
Growing up in the LDS tradition, we believed that God was
literally the father of our spirits, and thus everyone was automatically a
child of God upon birth. But the Bible portrays people becoming children of God. The apostle Paul depicts it as a divine
adoption: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage
again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,
Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)
To be born again is to enter into a kind of parent-child relationship with the divine.
A Relationship
It has become almost cliché in Evangelical circles to say
that following Jesus is a relationship,
not a religion. There’s nothing wrong
with the word “religion,” but it is important to distinguish between two very
different ways of approaching the divine. People who approach God through
“religion” may think that their church attendance, moral purity, and rituals provide
the magic formula to make one a Christian. That “religious” approach is often more
of a vain show for the people around you than a legitimate expression of
devotion.
“Relationship,” on the other hand, seeks to carve away the
pomp and ceremony (not to mention power-hungry hierarchy) that has built up
around Jesus’ teachings. We seek to get straight to the heart of the issue – to
know God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent (John 17:3). As a born again
believer, you have the joy of entering into that kind of intimate connection
with your Creator. THAT, Jesus says, IS eternal life!
What Comes Next?
When you give your life to God, you are reconciled to him, you
have the hope of eternal life, and you are a new creature – most people find
old destructive lifestyles melt away, and their hearts are reoriented toward
God’s purposes. It marks the beginning of a lifelong walk with the Creator of
the universe.
If you desire a personal connection with God, go to him
directly. Go to him with all your doubts, all your flaws, and all your
questions. Put your life in his hands – there’s no safer place. Put your faith
in what Jesus has done for you, repent of your sins, and ask to be born again.
After that, you begin the journey of a lifetime. God has put
you in a specific place and time (see Acts 17:26), and he will give you a
personal calling and spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12). If I could give
you two pieces of advice for your journey with Jesus, it is this: 1) Read the
Bible, because it provides spiritual nourishment like milk to a newborn baby (1
Peter 2:2), and 2) Follow Jesus where he leads. Sometimes that may mean setting
aside habits from your old life. If you’re his son, he will sometimes correct
you if you’re in the wrong (Hebrews 12:6-8).
Following Jesus is a life-changing decision. At first it may
seem like a difficult one (and you should certainly count the cost of
discipleship; see Luke 14:27-33), but as you get to know who God is (first and
foremost by reading his Word), you will come to know his voice and rest
securely in his salvation.
God bless you!
