Witness in the Word · Module 5 — What It Means to Actually Cross Over
Class 18 – What It Means to Be Born Again
This module, from The Almost Christian and Death Then What, moves from diagnosis to the actual crossing — what new birth, saving faith, real evidence, and settled assurance look like, rather than a hopeful assumption.
Source: The Almost Christian, Chapter Nine
The phrase “born again” is often used, but not always understood. Scripture does not use this phrase loosely. It defines a specific and necessary change that cannot be replaced by anything else.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” — John 3:3.
Being born again is not symbolic language for improvement. It is the description of a real change that takes place within the person. Without this change, everything else remains external.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” — John 3:6.
A person cannot make himself new. He can modify behavior. He can change habits. But he cannot alter his own nature.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God… who 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.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — II Corinthians 5:17.
I can only describe what a new creation is from my own experience. When the scripture says a new creation, it is not a visible one. Although you can see joy and peace in another’s face. It is peace that comes inside that one has never felt before. There is joy with assurance that things are well. The Spirit inside flows to the outside as joy and kindness come out in conversation and deeds. When a person is truly born again, there is no more almost. There is a calmness knowing your name is now written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you…” — Ezekiel 36:26.
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6.
“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” — John 3:7.
A person is either made new, or he is not. There is no middle condition where partial change is accepted. Being born again is not an addition to life. It is the beginning of life.
Summary
This chapter explains what it means to be born again. It shows that new birth is not self-produced or gradual improvement, but a real change in nature. A person may adjust behavior, but he cannot make himself new. Without this transformation, everything remains external.
For Reflection
Read: John 3:3–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17
1. Jesus told a religious teacher, Nicodemus, that he must be born again. What does that tell you about how thoroughly religious activity can still miss the point?
2. Can you describe, honestly, whether you have been made a "new creation," or whether you have only improved the old one?
3. What would change in your life this week if you were certain you had genuinely crossed from death into life?
This Week: Write out, in your own words, what being born again actually means — not the phrase, the reality — and whether it has happened to you.