What does it mean to be "born-again"?
Literally speaking, it means to be born a second time. However in this case one is referring to a SPIRITUAL birth, not a physical one.
I think John 3 is the best biblical reference for more understanding of this. Everyone who has experienced this second birth will tell you it is an experience worth sharing.
A story worth telling.
So I have decided to start sharing such poignant stories on this blog. It would not be right for me to share the salvation stories of others without sharing mine first. So here is a slightly summarized version.
I was born in a Christian home and I attended catholic boarding schools. So you can say I was no stranger to the Christian way of life and Christian beliefs. I have always believed in God and in Jesus, but it was never really personal. You could say Christianity was an important part of my life, but it was not my life. I tried to do what I was expected to do but looking back I realize I had the same struggles and issues as the average unbeliever.
I left Cameroon for the US in 2005 a devout catholic. I attended mass faithfully and honestly did try to live the good Christian life. Sometime in 2008, a young Ghanaian couple that lived in our neighborhood started inviting us (my cousins and I) over to their church for youth bible study. I think it was every Wednesday or Thursday night. One of such evenings I finally accepted to join them. It turned out to be something quite different from what I expected. The pastor leading the study was very interesting and his teaching style got everyone engaged in active conversation. It wasn't two hours of listening to one person address an audience, it was two hours of back and forth conversation. He asked questions and challenged our knowledge.
Naturally I tend to have a somewhat argumentative disposition and being arrogant enough to think I was quite versed with the Bible, it was not long before the pastor and I got into confrontation. Nothing nasty of course...all friendly and he was never condescending even when I got sensitive. lol. All he always did was state his position or thoughts and challenge me to find out for myself what the Bible actually says. I remember us discussing the "Assumption of Mary". I was so certain it was recorded in the Bible...oh how I searched and searched for it.
You know the downside of growing up in a Christian environment? You get to hear a lot being passed off as Biblical truth, so without checking you just believe it. For example, take the saying: "God helps those who help themselves." Some people will swear that is in the Bible.
Anyway, needless to say, my discussions with pastor got me reading my Bible like I never had before. I looked forward to those Bible study sessions and before I knew it I started worshiping at that church on Sundays. It was an Apostolic church...very different from the Catholic way but it was not completely new to me. My mom is Apostolic and as a child she took us with her to church whenever our dad was not in town (my dad is Presbyterian).
My Christian experience drastically changed. I cannot put a finger on the exact day I got born again, but in January 2009 I got baptized. I acknowledged my wretchedness, sinfulness and hopelessness before God. I recognized my need for Jesus, repented of my sin and confessed Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am saved. Saved from the judgement I deserved. I have hope. Hope for an eternity I sure do not deserve.
Romans 6:23
I had come to know my Lord and Savior Jesus. Personally. It was a different experience. What I had known in my head all my life, I now knew in my heart. I enjoyed and looked forward to time with God; Bible study, prayer, church etc. It no longer felt like a chore. Weaknesses I had struggled with, like bearing grudges with those who offended me, were no longer an issue. It was almost impossible to upset me. Knowing how touchy I used to be, it surprised even me. I experienced the work of the Holy Spirit convicting me of the "unbeneficial" aspects of my life and granting me the grace to let go of them.
My prayer life was no longer this formal, rigid experience. It was personal, emotional, invigorating. All worry and fretting about the future went away...talk about peace. Through various hardships as an international student in America, I witnessed God provide for me miraculously on several occasions, especially when I stepped out in faith. Those are whole stories on their own.
That was over 8 years ago and I am so grateful that God opened my eyes to the saving power of Christ Jesus. He has been faithful and kept me all these years. Watching over me as I matured spiritually. Not giving up on me even when I was drawn to a world that looked more appealing. It has not been a smooth and easy journey. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows...but through it all I can testify of God's endless mercy, enduring love and mighty power.
Literally speaking, it means to be born a second time. However in this case one is referring to a SPIRITUAL birth, not a physical one.
I think John 3 is the best biblical reference for more understanding of this. Everyone who has experienced this second birth will tell you it is an experience worth sharing.
A story worth telling.
So I have decided to start sharing such poignant stories on this blog. It would not be right for me to share the salvation stories of others without sharing mine first. So here is a slightly summarized version.
I was born in a Christian home and I attended catholic boarding schools. So you can say I was no stranger to the Christian way of life and Christian beliefs. I have always believed in God and in Jesus, but it was never really personal. You could say Christianity was an important part of my life, but it was not my life. I tried to do what I was expected to do but looking back I realize I had the same struggles and issues as the average unbeliever.
I left Cameroon for the US in 2005 a devout catholic. I attended mass faithfully and honestly did try to live the good Christian life. Sometime in 2008, a young Ghanaian couple that lived in our neighborhood started inviting us (my cousins and I) over to their church for youth bible study. I think it was every Wednesday or Thursday night. One of such evenings I finally accepted to join them. It turned out to be something quite different from what I expected. The pastor leading the study was very interesting and his teaching style got everyone engaged in active conversation. It wasn't two hours of listening to one person address an audience, it was two hours of back and forth conversation. He asked questions and challenged our knowledge.
Naturally I tend to have a somewhat argumentative disposition and being arrogant enough to think I was quite versed with the Bible, it was not long before the pastor and I got into confrontation. Nothing nasty of course...all friendly and he was never condescending even when I got sensitive. lol. All he always did was state his position or thoughts and challenge me to find out for myself what the Bible actually says. I remember us discussing the "Assumption of Mary". I was so certain it was recorded in the Bible...oh how I searched and searched for it.
You know the downside of growing up in a Christian environment? You get to hear a lot being passed off as Biblical truth, so without checking you just believe it. For example, take the saying: "God helps those who help themselves." Some people will swear that is in the Bible.
Anyway, needless to say, my discussions with pastor got me reading my Bible like I never had before. I looked forward to those Bible study sessions and before I knew it I started worshiping at that church on Sundays. It was an Apostolic church...very different from the Catholic way but it was not completely new to me. My mom is Apostolic and as a child she took us with her to church whenever our dad was not in town (my dad is Presbyterian).
My Christian experience drastically changed. I cannot put a finger on the exact day I got born again, but in January 2009 I got baptized. I acknowledged my wretchedness, sinfulness and hopelessness before God. I recognized my need for Jesus, repented of my sin and confessed Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am saved. Saved from the judgement I deserved. I have hope. Hope for an eternity I sure do not deserve.
Romans 6:23
I had come to know my Lord and Savior Jesus. Personally. It was a different experience. What I had known in my head all my life, I now knew in my heart. I enjoyed and looked forward to time with God; Bible study, prayer, church etc. It no longer felt like a chore. Weaknesses I had struggled with, like bearing grudges with those who offended me, were no longer an issue. It was almost impossible to upset me. Knowing how touchy I used to be, it surprised even me. I experienced the work of the Holy Spirit convicting me of the "unbeneficial" aspects of my life and granting me the grace to let go of them.
My prayer life was no longer this formal, rigid experience. It was personal, emotional, invigorating. All worry and fretting about the future went away...talk about peace. Through various hardships as an international student in America, I witnessed God provide for me miraculously on several occasions, especially when I stepped out in faith. Those are whole stories on their own.
That was over 8 years ago and I am so grateful that God opened my eyes to the saving power of Christ Jesus. He has been faithful and kept me all these years. Watching over me as I matured spiritually. Not giving up on me even when I was drawn to a world that looked more appealing. It has not been a smooth and easy journey. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows...but through it all I can testify of God's endless mercy, enduring love and mighty power.
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