BORN AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJ).

Life! Of all that Jesus accomplished in His time on earth, perhaps the greatest gift was the promise of life. Not just for the present, but eternal, everlasting LIFE!

All of creation remained under the curse of death since the judgment of sin in the Garden of Eden. The warning concerning the fruit of that one tree was, “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17 NKJ). The allure of the forbidden fruit brought the condemnation of the curse on all humanity. Death reigned supreme and its dark scourge cast a shadow on all living things. 

However, hope was born in Christ Jesus! He came with the expressed purpose, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 NKJ). God’s love initiated a plan of redemption, a remedy to replace the curse with a blessing. His sacrifice empowered a promise … “everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT).

Jesus drew the sharp contrast, “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!” (John 10:10 TPT). We are living in the overflow of His abundance. Now life is a full life, “a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT).

​The experience of being Born Again brings a new life that was never thought possible. As Paul said, “The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). It is a new life now; it’s the Now Life!


Theme passage:
"… Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

BORN AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:12-13 NIV).

Everyone has a past. Even the youngest with no recollection of their beginnings have life experiences and learning moments that shape their future direction. Everyone has a story. Some have more tragic events than most, while others seem to lead a charmed life with few dark days and more positive outcomes. Regardless of our good fortune or cursed condition, we are all born into a world of sin, and it doesn’t take long to be contaminated by our surroundings. 

This was the world into which Christ was born. Jesus came intentionally, with a defined purpose, to provide an escape from the scars of our present condition. According to Luke, Jesus came, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 NKJ). He came to confront our past and give us a future quite different than the one we were heading towards. 

Jesus came to bring the hope of new life, transformation, and freedom from our past mistakes. He plans to make each of us a new person. Paul wrote, “The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT).

Through Christ we can truly let the past be passed! There is no reason to dwell on the failures of yesterday, but rather to embrace the future God has planned for us. Paul recognized that the real prize was still ahead, in our future. Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV). 

That drawing Spirit is God’s mercy. The promise of better things pours out of His heart of grace. We have a future and a hope because He came to make us free! Let the past be passed. Let’s press on toward the future He has designed for us! 


Theme passage:
"… Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

BORN AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV).

Everyone can enjoy something new. Whether it’s a new coat, new shoes, a new car, or a new house. Some people like antiques, but they often like to renovate or repurpose items so that they function like something more modern. Vintage homes are wonderful, … if they have new plumbing, new electrical wiring and insulation in the walls and roof. While we’re at it, let’s add central heat & air and Wi-Fi. Older homes are certainly more comfortable when they are made new.

God desires to take the old life and make it new. Any person born into this world of sin has their share of pain, trauma, and failure. The experiences of the old creation bring guilt and condemnation. Jesus Christ came with the promise of life, a new life in Him. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJ).

Through the born-again experience, we can have new hope, new vision, and a fulfilling life. Paul wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1 NKJ). The transforming experience of the new birth changes us into His perfect image. We become children of God. His righteousness covers our failure and His Spirit fills us with hope. Jesus makes all things new!


Theme passage:
"… Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

BORN AGAIN!

Terry R. Baughman
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1 NKJ).
Being in Christ indicates that a personal spiritual transformation has taken place. By faith, we have committed ourselves to Jesus, turned to God in repentance, identified with Christ in baptism, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual growth and the development of new godly behaviors reveal the internal changes we have experienced. 
The most profound witness of Jesus in the world is the evidence of Christ within, shown through the transforming power of His Spirit. We are new creations of His spiritual work in our lives. The righteousness of Christ is reflected in us, equipping us to complete the mission that Jesus left for His followers to fulfill. 
Paul said, “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14 NIV). Through the New Birth we have become sons and daughters of God. In water baptism we have been personally identified with Jesus Christ and taken on His name. Paul also wrote, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV). We have this promise, “He has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30 NLT). 
Only in Christ Jesus can we be saved. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV). Through the born again experience we are adopted as children of God and have the full benefits and blessings of this spiritual inheritance. We belong to Christ. We are family. As Paul stated, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17 NIV).
In Christ we are fully identified with Him, belonging to Him, and nothing can separate us from His love! (See Romans 8:37-39.)






Theme passage:
"… Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)