What does the Bible mean by “we must be born again?” part 2
Let’s do a very quick review from the previous post.
First, we found out that God is a Spirit, meaning He is invisible yet still a person and not an expression or impression.
Second, we found out that God who is a Spirit exist in three distant persons known as Father-Son-Holy Spirit. I intend to do an exhaustive study on the triune God, and I believe most will be surprised at how many references there are in the Bible concerning this truth.
Third, we found out that Jesus, the Son, is the only visible part of the invisible God. Even the angels and demons bear witness to this truth as they recognized Jesus as a baby, throughout His earthly ministry, and after the resurrection. Furthermore, never in any vision of heaven recorded in the Bible (remember the biblical writers only recorded what the Holy Spirit, who is God, witness not themselves) where there is more than one throne in heaven and one person seated on the throne.
Fourth, that God currently resides in a body, the body of the man, Jesus Christ, making Jesus the Godman. All of us will stand before one of two thrones, the Judgment Seat of Christ (all believers) or the Great White Throne Judgment (all unbelievers). Why isn’t the Great White Throne Judgment called Great White Throne Judgment of Christ? Because unbelievers are unworthy to call upon God’s holy name.
Let’s move on before we get off topic.
We learned about man.
First, man was created in the image of God, meaning the real you is a Spirit just like God and the angels but not God or an angel. This is the actual birth of a human. This is when a human child is truly conceived in the womb and what Psalm 51:5 is referencing, not the body. The spirit of man is born fully developed, a grownup if you please. It is the other two parts of us that grows, develop, learn, create, understand, etc., not our spirit. This is the first birth, and it is totally separate from your soul and body. This is the only part of you that can communicate with God. I will explain that later in this post.
Now listen very carefully. THIS IS THE ONLY PART OF A HUMAN THAT CAN BE “BORN AGAIN” and it can only be “born again” while living inside the physical body. Who creates the human spirit? God did. What did you and I DO to assist with this first birth? Nothing. Your answer to the next question will go a long way to determine where you are with your understanding of how God, according to the Bible “save” people from eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Since you didn’t assist God with the creation of your first birth, the creation of your human spirit without a soul and without a body. Does God now need your assistance to CREATE a “new spirit” within your old body and with your old soul? What type of assistance will you give Him? Can you create a human spirit? Yet that is the requirement to get into heaven. If this has not happened to you, I can state without a shadow of a doubt that you are headed to hell, no matter how religious or non-religious you are. No matter how nice or horrible a person you are. The new birth, being born again, has nothing to do with behavior.
Most of you didn’t know the makeup of a human until you read these posts. That’s because you are not reading your Bible and it is not taught in churches these days. We need to know how the Lord will make me happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise. That’s the proof of a Spirit filled life today. What rubbish and foolishness!
Let’s move on before I change the subject.
Once the spirit and soul depart the body, they enter the spiritual realm. Yes, there are different realms of existence. No, I am not speaking of aliens like in the movies.
For example, the Bible declares that there are three levels of heaven. The third heaven (highest heaven) is where God and the holy angels reside. The second heaven is where most of the demons reside. I say most because there are some in prison under the earth in a place called Tartarus (the abyss / bottomless pit) while there are others locked in chains just beneath the surface of the Euphrates River over in the Middle East. Then there are others that a soooo wicked that God locked them in everlasting chains until judgment day. If they were loosened, they would kill every single human in few days. These demons that are locked away that the demons that are allowed to roam the earth begged Jesus not to send them there.
30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. Luke 8:30-33
That’s bad when demons are afraid of demons. Most of these hideous malignant wicked demons will be set lose upon the earth during the 7-year tribulation but the Lord will not allow them to kill people, only torture them for 5 months.
You say, Kevin, lay off the crack pipe, man! Nope, don’t do drugs but I do drink of the water of life, the word of God, my Bible, for which I have an unquenchable thirst. Maybe you should try it, might help you, that is IF you are thirsty.
The first heaven is the physical universe wherein we live and interact. Humans cannot see the second and third heavens. There were only a couple of men, according to the Bible that were allowed to visit the third heaven, Paul and John. Paul stated that it is unlawful (against the commandment of God) to tell anyone what he witnessed and heard. John was commanded only to record all the things written in the book of Revelation, and nothing else. This is why I do not believe anyone that claims to have visited heaven or hell then comes back to tell us all about it. God, through His word, the Bible, says that He does not allow this. I will stick with the Lord who is a God that cannot lie.
It also declares that there are two locations of hell but called by different names, sheol-hades-the grave which is located under our feet below the earth’s surface. This hell is only a detention center until the final judgment takes place but is none the less horrible. This is where the “rich man” in the story of Lazarus found himself one milli-second after physical death. Then there is the lake of fire which the Bible does not tell us exactly where it is located.
Second, man was created in the likeness of God, meaning that your Spirit now have a second component called a Soul. This is what differentiate man from angels. Angels do not have a soul however let me state that I cannot be dogmatic about that statement as I can already here your question, why not? Because they were all created at one time with a specific purpose without the need to make decisions that will DETERMINE outcomes. Angels live in the spiritual realm where every decision made is an eternal one. This is the reason no human can be “born again” or “saved” from hell after they die. I know that there are religions that teach otherwise but that teaching is not biblical. I only speak of that which the Bible proclaim, otherwise I do have an opinion. If anyone can show me several scriptural references within their context for that doctrine, then I will be happy to revise my statement but until then we will not stray one millimeter from the word of God.
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL. 2 Corinthians 4:18
This should assist with answering the question of why the devil and demons cannot be born again or saved. They live within the spiritual realm where every decision made is an eternal one. Furthermore, the fallen angels went outside of their created purpose by making a decision apart from the Lord’s command.
This quote is from our friends at gotquestions.org concerning angels.
God created angels, just as He created everything else (Colossians 1:16). He commands them, and they obey (Psalm 91:11; 103:20–21). They fight for God and protect His people (2 Kings 6:16–17; Psalm 91:11–12; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 26:53). They also act as messengers, bringing the word of God to people through dreams, visions, or simply by appearing before them (Matthew 1:20; 2:13; Luke 1:11–20; Acts 1:10–11; 8:26). We know that angels are spiritual beings, as Scripture describes them as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). The holy angels worship God (Job 38:7; Psalm 148:2; Luke 2:13–14; Revelation 5:11–12), but they do not receive worship for themselves (Revelation 19:10). While all these characteristics are remarkable, they do not answer questions about angels’ souls.”
Paul said this about our souls. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man (our bodies) is perishing (our bodies begin the process of dying when we exit the womb), yet the inward man (speaking of our souls) is being renewed (How? By the word of God, explained later) day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
This is why believers have real hope and the unbeliever is hopeless. Believers are looking forward to a day when we are covered with the same type of resurrected body of Jesus and then on our face worshiping before the throne of God. For the unbelievers dying physically is the worst thing that could ever happen to them. The only thing in their future is judgment which determines how bad the punishment will be, not where they will reside throughout all eternity.
Our souls are with us at conception but in a very limited capacity, yet it has the ability to learn anything. The word of God has this to say even about the Son of God. “39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:39-40
We call this growth process the development of IQ which is only how rapid the soul develops and retains wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from God. This has nothing to do with salvation as all humans have both a spirit and a soul. Yet it has everything to do with salvation because it is the processor that feeds your spirit understanding to make decisions. It will take us off topic to dive further into this conversation so we will leave it there.
THE SOUL CANNOT BE “BORN AGAIN”, God said that our souls are to be “renewed” and taught how to obey the word of God. THE BODY LIKE THE SOUL CANNOT BE "BORN AGAIN".
Third concerning man we learned that God created a human spirit, gave it a soul, then placed it into a pile of dirt which is our human body. As we pointed out in the previous blog, there is and never will be any life associated with our bodies. It will return to the earth and be destroyed.
20 All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust. 21 Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth? Ecclesiastes 3:20-21
7 Then the dust (our bodies, remember in Genesis God took the dust to create our bodies) will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
10 “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. 11 For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way. 12 Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. 13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? 14 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, 15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. Job 34:10-15
I will say it again, the breath of life is the spirit apart from the soul and body. Without your human spirit, there will be no soul or body. Therefore, which part is alive to God? That's correct, only your human spirit. Which part can be "born again"? That's correct, only the part of you that is alive to God, your human spirit which the Bible sometimes calls the heart.
Only God can make this division.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Let’s divide the words of truth in this verse.
Jesus is the word of God who is the only living and all-powerful God.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Revelation 1:17-18
Jesus, who is God, speaks with full authority as God Almighty therefore His words are more dangerous and effective than the most powerful killing tools of the ancient days of warfare.
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16
Because Jesus is God the creator, only He can separate the spirit from the soul and the spirit and soul from the body. The joints and marrow or the externals and internals of man. We discussed this fully from all the references concerning the human makeup, so I will not rehash it here.
16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit (human spirit) would fail before Me, And the souls (of humans) which I have made. Isaiah 57:16
Jesus, who is God, knows our thoughts before they enter our minds. There are too many to list here therefore I will limit it to three.
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile. Psalms 94:11
6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, but water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:6-11
Do see how we are taking the whole council of God’s word and clearly showing the meaning of scripture. If you like this style of writing, teaching, and learning, let me encourage you to read my books which are all written in the exact easy to read and understand style. If interested visit Amazon to read the books previews.
My 4-book series entitled “The Sinner to Saint Metamorphosis”. Books 1 and 2 are from God’s perspective, Book 3 from our response perspective, Book 4 from the Godman (Jesus) perspective.
Book No. 1 is Predestined to Hell? Why Would a God of Love Consign People to Hell FOREVER?, reveals God’s plan to redeem mankind from his fallen sinful condition. It provides God’s instruction on how a person can be made righteous and remain righteous in His sight. Like the caterpillar that transforms into a beautiful butterfly, so too is our metamorphosis from a hell-bound condemned sinner to a newly created Saint of God wrapped in the cocoon of Christ’s righteousness. A transformation so radical that only the majestic hand and creative power of the Most High God is capable of performing. Once accomplished, His Saints receive God’s seal of acceptance and power of security, the Holy Spirit, who alone can guarantee and reserve the Saints inheritance in Christ. Predestined to Hell? also reveals how it takes the entire Godhead to author (God the Father), purchase (Jesus, God the Son), and preserve (God the Holy Spirit) the sinners that are transformed into Saints, by grace through faith, in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Predestined to Hell? investigates the two roads, identifying the warning signs on the road to hell and confirming the street signs on the road to heaven.
Are you a Christian but struggle to witness and fully explain the gospel?
Then hand them this book. The path to salvation is clearly presented. Keep a copy handy to help you explain the gospel the next time the Holy Spirit prompts you to witness, while building up your most holy faith.
Predestined to Hell? was written to help equip the Church with an evangelistic witnessing tool. Filled with the sword of the word of God and free from human opinions, Predestined to Hell? will encourage the believer while educating and convicting the unbeliever by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Larger than a typical track yet small enough to hand out to family members, friends, neighbors, church family, and strangers, Predestined to Hell? is perfect for distribution at campus crusades, street evangelism, youth and prison ministries, and on the missionary fields. This book is easy to read, succinct, Christ-focused, and with a salvation-centric message.
Let’s win souls together for the Kingdom of God by taking the gospel to the entire world, all to the glory and honor of our Great God, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ the King of Glory! Amen.