Lynne Little Ministries - Higher Realm
This podcast features a wide-ranging concentration of subjects from Christian apologetics, to mankind's relationship with God and His with us, and exploring our roles within the contemporary church as well as society at large. We facilitate open dialogue with straightforward examinations of foundational Christian beliefs. Special focus will include recovering from, and moving forward through, any type of profound loss from the Christian perspective.
Lynne Little Ministries - Higher Realm
Little by Little - Part Three - The Great Exchange: Trading Our Worst for God's Best
What happens when your spirit is made brand new? In this enlightening exploration of spiritual rebirth, we unpack the profound distinction between being "born again" and experiencing salvation. Though often used interchangeably, these concepts represent different dimensions of the Christian faith journey—one an instant transformation, the other an ongoing process.
Jesus's midnight conversation with Nicodemus forms the centerpiece of our discussion. When this curious religious leader approached Jesus with questions, he received an unexpected answer: "You must be born again." This puzzling statement opens the door to understanding one of Christianity's most fundamental concepts. We examine why Jesus emphasized this spiritual rebirth as the gateway to perceiving and entering God's kingdom, and how it addresses our inherent separation from God.
The born-again experience offers ten remarkable benefits that transform every aspect of life—from becoming a new creation and being adopted into God's family to receiving Christ's righteousness and the promise of heaven. Perhaps most profound is what I call "the great exchange"—we give God our worst, and in return, receive His very best. Through scriptural insights from 2 Corinthians, Romans, and Colossians, we discover that while our spirits are instantly renewed, our minds and bodies require ongoing transformation to align with this new reality.
Have you experienced this spiritual rebirth? The invitation stands open—one prayer can change your life forever. Connect with us at lynnelittleministries@gmail.com if you've made this life-changing decision or have questions about your spiritual journey.
You are listening to Higher Realm with Lynne Little. Our program highlights biblical strategies for moving through life's difficulties and finding your path to healing. We tackle issues particular to those who have experienced painful loss in any form. Lynne is the founder and president of Lynne Little Ministries and the author of Missing Lisa: A Parent Grieves and Finding God in Death and Life: A Passage Through Grief. Now here's Lynn.
Speaker 2:Hello and welcome. This is the third week in our series entitled Little by Little. Last week, we discussed the terms saved and salvation. Today's topic on the subject of being born again is similar to being saved in its effect. Both lead to the same end, but although the terms are used interchangeably to describe a similar act, they are actually quite different. First, let's discuss how they are the same. Both terms denote a change in the state of a person. Both terms are interconnected because being born again is the prerequisite for being saved and both emphasize the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. However, they emphasize different aspects of the Christian faith, a spiritual transformation in the new birth versus the act of salvation through faith.
Speaker 2:While being born again emphasizes the personal experience of spiritual renewal, being saved generally refers to the ongoing act of being rescued through Christ from sin and its consequences, including spiritual death. It is a broader term that encompasses the idea of being rescued from separation from God in this life and the life to come. It represents our ongoing deliverance from sin and bad habits. The Apostle Paul writes this in Philippians 2: 12 and 13. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Hmm, well, what happened to the concept of the free gift of salvation? Salvation, what does Paul mean? Work it out Well. First, the Greek verb rendered, workout, means to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition. What are we completing as Christians? Saving ourselves? No, paul describes himself in Philippians 3, 13, and 14 as straining and pressing on toward the goal of Christlikeness. We press in to emulate Jesus again. Fellowshipping with the shepherd, hearing his voice and following him are what qualifies us as his sheep.
Speaker 2:Many misunderstand the commands about doing good deeds in the Bible as the basis of salvation. The Bible is clear that doing good deeds is the result of salvation, not the basis of it. Ephesians 2: 8-9 clearly states, "For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God, not the results of works, so that no one may boast, not the results of works, so that no one may boast. We are not earning heaven or receiving God's acceptance by our works. What we strive for is to lead lives that are pleasing to God. That is the press Paul refers to. We decide to desire to obey God, but God's love for us is never performance-based.
Speaker 2:Both terms born again and salvation ultimately point to the central message of the gospel that through faith in Jesus Christ we can be reconciled to God and experience the fullness of life that he offers. Both concepts are essential to the Christian faith and have profound implications for the life of the believer. Make sense so far? So let's address the subject of being born again. The term born again refers to the personal experience of spiritual rebirth that occurs when an individual accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord. It is the process of our spirit being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, in other words being made brand new. This spiritual rebirth is necessary for salvation. Let's begin with the words of Jesus found in the book of John, chapter 3, beginning in verse 1.
Speaker 2:A man by the name of Nicodemus, who was a ruler of the Jewish synagogue, came to Jesus to ask questions. He had obviously either heard Jesus speak in person or heard enough about him to rouse his curiosity. And here's what he said, "Rabbi, we know that you are our teacher, who has come from God, for no one could perform the signs you were doing if God were not with him. Now notice Jesus' reply. He did not address Nicodemus' question, but instead his answer went straight to the man's point of need. Note truly, I tell you, no one could see the kingdom. The puzzled Nicodemus replied. How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born, jesus answered. Truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again. The 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.
Speaker 2:Now, in these passages, the Lord distinguishes natural birth - flesh gives birth to flesh - from spiritual birth, or shall I say rebirth. The two phrases he uses - Spirit gives birth to Spirit, and born of the Spirit - describe the transformation in the human spirit via the born-again experience. In saying these things, jesus is moving Nicodemus' focus from the realm of the natural world to the realm of the spiritual world. Jesus speaks of a kingdom that is not of this world, and the means through which a person enters that kingdom is through the born-again experience. Our first birth gave us physical life. The new birth gives us spiritual life and membership into God's family. John 1: 13 and 14 says this. "Yet, to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or of a husband's will, but born of God. When someone receives Jesus, their spirit is reborn. That is the transformation. So now the thousand-dollar question why is this necessary?
Speaker 2:In past episodes we discussed how mankind is born with a nature that is at cross purposes to God. This sin nature is something human beings are born into. Consequently, our spirits, the real us, are spiritually dead, enslaved and sold into sin, with the result that we cannot perceive the things of God. There needs to be a change of natures within us where the old man is dispelled. Paul explained how this transformation happens in the lives of believers In Ephesians 2, verses 4 through 7, he says, " because of his great love for us, god, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace that you have been saved. The plan to redeem mankind from the yoke of sin. Nature predated our acceptance of it.
Speaker 2:Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus eventually led to the capstone scripture of the good news of the gospel, found in John 3: 16, and 17. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Some might believe that they can reach God on their own, without the benefit of a Savior. But, friends, this is the path. Jesus is the way that God has ordained. To put it succinctly, his universe, his rules, his universe, his rules.
Speaker 2:And I would counter that the act of being made new in our human spirits, blessed with the opportunity to live as a totally reborn individual, is an incomparable privilege. Who could reasonably dispute the value of connecting eternally with the Creator simply by accepting His terms? Countless benefits are bestowed on us through the born-again experience. Here are ten to ponder. Keep in mind that every point deserves a treatise of its own. Number one we are made brand new, and here's the proof. Second, Corinthians 5: 17. "Therefore, if anyone is in christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here.
Speaker 2:In Ephesians 4, 24, Paul tells us to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness, and again in Colossians 3, 10, do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man, who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of him, who created him. The word renewed in this passage is talking about the part of us that still needs work and isn't automatically recreated, specifically our bodies and our souls, comprised of our will, emotions and our mind. So to reiterate, what part of us is made new? Jesus already told us flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. The rebirth happens to our Spirit.
Speaker 2:Second point, we're adopted into God's family and become sons and daughters of God. John 1:12 says. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Romans 8.15 reads the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship, and by him we cry Abba, father. Through sonship, we inherit all that our Father has, and our siblings number in the billions. Third, our sins are forgiven because our sin nature is defeated.
Speaker 2:Acts 3:19 says, "Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out." Everything wrong we have ever done is removed from our permanent record, and there is a record being kept Because Jesus already paid for them. God will no longer count them against us, and when we miss it, which we invariably do we have this promise in 1 John 1.9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. What a deal. Fourth, we immediately enjoy a right relationship with God. We are justified because of what Christ has done. An expression to clarify the word justified is just as if I'd never sinned. Romans 5.1 tells us we boast in God through our Lord, jesus Christ, whom we have now received reconciliation. In other words, we're no longer separated from God, we have a restored harmony.
Speaker 2:The fifth point, we're rescued from the dominion of Satan. We literally pass from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:13 tells us. "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Point six is in Ephesians 1.13. The Holy Spirit comes to indwell us, and you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal the promised Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:Point seven, we become righteous with the righteousness of Christ. This point is one that takes time to get our minds around. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made him Jesus, who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This means that the perfect, sinless life of Jesus is credited to our account. This has been called by some the great exchange, because we give God our worst and in response are given his best. Romans 3.22 reads this righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, and Romans 5.17 makes this incredible statement For if by one man's much more those who received the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through one Jesus Christ." in life through one Jesus Christ. Now, this speaks, of course, of the transformation of our spirits. Our mind and bodies obviously have some catching up to do.
Speaker 2:Point eight we inherit the promise of heaven and preparations for our new place are ongoing. In John 14: 2, Jesus told us that he's preparing our home in heaven. "In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, benefit 9. God meets the needs of his children. Philippians 4:19 reads, "and my God shall supply all of your need according to his riches and glory, by Christ Jesus. And point ten God provides healing for our bodies. Yes, god still heals today.
Speaker 2:I have so many things to share with my listeners about divine healing, particularly because our family has experienced multiple episodes of divine healing. I am preparing a series to specifically address this crucial issue, so stay tuned. But before you go, have you been born again? One prayer can change your life forever. Please pray, repeating after me and meaning it with all your heart. Heavenly Father, I come before you admitting that I'm a sinner. I believe you sent Jesus to die on the cross to pay the price for my sins. Jesus, come into my heart and life. Forgive my sins and make me brand new. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, Amen. If you prayed that prayer, write to us at lynnelittleministries@ gmailcom.
Lynne:God bless your week and to help them discover hope, peace and restoration. For books resources or to make a tax-deductible donation, go to lynnelittleorg.