There is a lot of church doctrine that has its basis in mythology rather than the truth and reality of what Jesus taught or that God is supposed to have said. Being born again is just such a doctrine. The importance of this subject requires a look at the actual scripture (KJV) for reference in order to begin the discussion:

John (Gospel of) Ch 3v5-10
5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[2] gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You[3] must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." 9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?

I agree, as if I had a choice, with the teachings of Jesus on this matter. He said one must be born again. OK, that's that. Yet Jesus went much further to say that everyone that is born again is like the wind, able to come and go, no one able to discern their behavioral pattern. He left no one out.

So, those of you who claim to be born again, let's have it. Let's see you move like the wind, coming and going in the way Jesus described. If you are born again then you should be able to do this. If you can't, then you are not born again. Simple as that! I have spoken with other ministers on this issue, declaring to them just as I have here and they still refuse to acknowledge the truth of Jesus' words.

They maintain that they are born again in spite of the obvious fact that they cannot come and go like the wind as Jesus said. Some have told me they have known people who can. To that I say more power to them (who they claim can do this), because if that's true then they have clearly demonstrated their rebirth. But these ministers themselves have not. Some tell me that they have been born again, are being born again, and will be born again. To that I say they are just plain confused. Either you are or you're not. Remember the bit about being a little bit pregnant?

What I think, which is not unfounded in scripture since these words came straight out of Jesus' mouth, and supported by his personal demonstration of the exact behavior he described, is this. First, read for yourselves Luke (Gospel of) Ch 24v13-31; & v36-51. These verses perfectly detail Jesus showing what he was talking about when he and Nicodemus discussed the topic of being born again. In these scriptures he behaved exactly as he described in John 3v5-10. Read these verses and see how he moved like the wind, coming and going in that expressed manner. How much more accurate a representation does one need to conclude the following:

One is born again when one dies, and not before.
It's not until death that the body and spirit separate and the spirit is released to rejoin the Great Spirit, who or what we call God. Dying is the spiritual rebirthing process, being the portal into the next life, and the mandated process everyone must go through to be born again. Everyone! Death facilitates the releasing of the spirit from the body. The spirit, which came from God, is free once again to move as God moves, like the wind.

Everyone experiences dying and death, which means also that everyone, without exception is reborn, or born again. Everyone is born again regardless of religious belief or affiliation! What happens after that no one knows, although not knowing does not prevent almost everyone, including yours truly, from speculating and forming opinions and beliefs on the after life. In fact, people have been speculating about the after life since the beginning of time (for humans). We want to know but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) no one has ever come back from the other side to tell us what actually happens. Even if you count Jesus, after his resurrection he never talked about the after life. He offered no great revelations on dying, death and what takes place in and beyond it.

Why, with all the accounts in the Bible of people being raised from the dead, are there no specific revelations on dying, death or the after life? Everyone wants to know what happens when we die. I can't believe that not one of those who were reported to have died and come back had nothing to say, nor any of their loved ones questioned them about what they experienced. That is unbelievable! Or is it that they did have specific details to relate to us that were either not recorded, were recorded and lost, or those recordings were destroyed. I believe, though can't prove, the latter. To have these things explained, removes the elemental mystery and fear, and either totally eliminates or greatly reduces the need for the preacher and religion. Once the mystery is solved and the veil removed then the charlatan's purpose is eliminated.

I addressed this topic, as I will many others, because I now know that many have been mislead by intentionally false interpretations orchestrated by Balaamesque, opportunistic, parasitic preachers that prey on trusting, unsuspecting people searching for light to lead them to "God". Jesus once spoke of some hiding their light under a bushel basket. Anyone who hides their light under a bushel basket wants to deceive you, only today the bushel basket has been replaced by the collection bucket. The truth shall, will, and must set you free. Now that you have heard the truth on this issue you are free. Fly, run, or walk if you choose, but go and enjoy your freedom. This has cost you nothing to receive, yet do not take it lightly.

The next question is, now what? What is the motivation to be a Christian, or religious, or try to live good or right? I will answer that in next month's column. See you next then.

Dan Hardman

© 2004 By Dan Hardman

Brother Dan Hardman will be keeping the Black community informed on issues concerning the church and righteous living. Visit regularly for new information that could help you overcome and make the best of your everyday experiences.

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