born again

God Reflector

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.   John 5:19

Jesus reflected God in HIS words, motives, and actions. We are HIS apprentices. HE set the standard and pattern for us to follow.

I just finished reading the book Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich. The authors outlined their understanding to the stages in the life of faith. Their final stage is reflecting God. They summarize five stages one needs to move through before arriving at this last level. Whether you agree with each stage or not, one has to admit one doesn’t reflect God overnight. The life of faith is a process of maturity in Christ.

As one learns to trust Jesus, one moves through each stage maturing in the process. The process begins with first discovering God. Then learning about HIM. As we are discipled, we begin to work for HIM. But then something happens. We hit the spiritual wall. Our will comes face to face with God’s will. We either reconstruct and rediscover God or deconstruct and turn away from HIM. As we surrender to God we move with HIM in HIS work. As we continue this process, we begin to reflect HIM more and more.

Jesus reflected HIS Father God. So can we. HE has empowered us with HIS Spirit to live under HIS domain. As we grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus, we start living the process. As we allow the Holy Spirit access into our inner being, we continue living the process.

The journey is lifelong. It takes a mother nine months to nurture and grow a baby in her womb. During each stage, the pre-born body is being shaped and prepared for an earthly life. Likewise, God’s new creation, you and me, the new self, over decades, is being shaped and prepared for a heavenly life.

You will hit many spiritual walls in your journey. Each wall allows us to move closer to discovering the authentic God. You will slowly remove the access baggage accumulated during the early days of your life. Your spirit, words, and actions will reflect God more often than not. As you near the end of your journey, you look forward to the birthing of a new you into the heavenly realm.

Yes, Jesus did reflect God on earth. So can we. But do we? Do we allow the Holy Spirit full access into our heart and mind to mold us into the person HE wants us to be? Are we at peace living the grace-paced life for HIS glory? Or are we still trying to figure it all out? Wherever you are at, always remember. HE is for you and with you. Lean on HIM. As you do, HE will reflect HIS glory through you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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A Spiritual Birth Metaphor

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  2 Corinthians 4:16

Metaphors help us better understand complex ideas. Jesus used them along with parables and open-end questions to make us think deeper unto a subject.

Take for example the new birth of a Christ-follower. What if we compare our walk with God with the entire human pregnancy process?

As humans, we are spiritual beings encased in a body governed by a soul. As believers, are we not being nourished through the umbilical cord of faith by the Holy Spirit?

Jesus stated to Nicodemus that us humans need to be born again by the Spirit (Jn. 3:3). The Spirit gives life (Jn. 6:63). As our human spirit is impregnated by the Holy Spirit, the new life begins. Physically, science breaks the pregnancy growth process into stages. The initial stage is called zygote. Then the baby-to-be progresses as an embryo, fetus, and finally, baby.

In many ways, these stages outline the process of the new birth. It begins with the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then the inception by the Holy Spirit. From there, we are fed by the Church through the acquisition of Godly knowledge – HIS Word. We learn to live under the authority of HIS Kingdom. As we put into practice HIS ways, the Holy Spirit renews our heart and mind. Over time, our attitude and viewpoint develops more Christlike. Our willpower and character follow suit. This practice forms the inner person. Upon our death, our spirit is then birth into a new dimension unto the arms of Jesus.

Like all metaphors, there are limits. But it does make one stop and think. As we age, we admit the outer body is decaying. Yet the inner person becomes more noticeable. We look back and realize how life is a growing process preparing one for eternity. Like the child in the womb of their mother, we don’t compare ourselves with other unborn children. We wait for our new birth. Meanwhile, we are being nourished. We are being cared for. We are being prepared for a heavenly experience.

As parents, we accept responsibility to protect and give birth to a healthy child. Don’t you think God places the same emphasis on the Church (you & me) to birth a healthy child into HIS family? Just another thought to think about as God does HIS work in you and me.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Born Again

Dr. Mike Think About That... , , , ,

John 3:3

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Sometimes I wonder and speculate whether or not Jesus and Nicodemus were actually comparing the spiritual new birth with being physically pregnant. There are some Biblical scholars who believe the Greek word translated into “born” would be better translated as “begotten.” Again, I wonder.

To be born again implies more than the sperm and egg connecting within a Mother’s womb. As the fetus grows, an ultrasound would show the head, legs and arms of a child taken shape early in the pregnancy. Approximately eight weeks into the new life a heart beat is heard. Science will acknowledge that the child is alive at this time but dependent on their mother for nourishment. The process from the initial marriage of sperm and egg until the child’s birth into the world is approximately nine months.

What keeps the child alive is the umbilical cord connected to the Mother where the child’s nourishment is received. During these nine months the child is being formed and prepared for life outside their mother’s womb. The child isn’t considered “born” until the day they are birth into the world.

So, when Jesus said we must be born again, was he speaking about the sperm and egg becoming one or was he illustrating the resurrection when our bodies will be morph into a spiritual casing?

Again, I wonder. Isn’t “being born again” more like a child in the womb of a mother than the mature Christian we like to thing we are? As a child of God in the womb of the Church, am I not being slowly shaped into the image of Jesus Christ? Then one day, we will be raised with Christ and see Him as He truly is because we will be like him (I John 3:2)? 

Again, I wonder. Just like a child is protected within the Mother’s womb, are we also not protected within the arms of our God?

Again, I wonder. Like the umbilical cord connects and feeds the child in the womb, doesn’t Christ’s faith feed us through His Word?

Scripture doesn’t give us all the words spoken between Nicodemus and Jesus, but just the most important need to know phrases. But I do wonder and speculate at times…

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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