Anyone else consider themselves to be a born again christian?

[graceinabundance]

just wondering how many of us there are on MN

I guess I was fortunate - I asked God for something specific and it was answered in such a way as I couldn't do anything other than believe. There are times when I have barren periods, and I just have to trust even when I don't feel anything.

I have this image of sitting in front of God saying "I can't hear you" when he is right opposite and shouting "I'm here, REALLY I am".

Norris I think it is different for everyone, it took me 3 years before I could say I "found God" if you like. I personally was going through a tough time and just when I felt like giving in If His presence. I cant say that you have to be in a bad place to find "God" infact it can be the very opposite. Just keep seeking and Know that he will never give up on you!
Have you tried the Alpha course? I know that this has helped a lot of others who are seeking God.

Norris feelings can be very deceptive. Sometimes you don't feel anything for months, years even.
But that does not mean you are not a 'Christian' or that God doesn't love you.
The beginning of it all is to have faith in God, to make up your mind that you will believe in Him, that you will praise Him.
I would say, just stop trying to feel and just do. God will hear you and be pleased.

• sorry should have said I felt His presence!

norris I would like to send you a wee pressie, it came to mind when you wrote about not feeling god. pm me if its ok x I promise its not my ironing pile

I would love a pressie! How do I pm you [useless mn er emoticon]

oh just seen

I would count myself born again in the sense that Jesus talked to Nicodemus about it. Committed to God with all I am.

You don't have to be a particular flavour of Christian to be born again. It's more that all with faith in Jesus are born again. Most however would associate the thread with more out there evangelicalism. I would contend that all who are fully committed to Christ are born again

Still don't like the phrase though really

phrase not thread

I'm not keen on the term born again either but am a committed christian (I occasionally post/lurk on the other threads mentioned :))

I'm a christian. Like many others I was brought up a christian but made a commitment for myself as an adult. I have felt closer to God at some times in my life and further away at others, but I feel he is a comforting presence for me constantly.

yeah I did use a bit if a naff term sorry, it was the only one I really knew

Thanks those who didnt roast me lol

yes god is a comforting presence to me too, I certainly need him thats for sure

I get just a bit uncomfortable with the idea that Jesus is a 'comforting' presence in your life.
Sure, Jesus says that he will send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, but I always understood that to mean comfort as in a 'strengthening', 're-inforcing' sense of the word.
We cannot be Christians without being born again and accepting the totally new way of life that brings. It is quite often NOT comfortable to be a Christian, "in this life you will have trouble" Jesus says, and many Christians will be able to bear testimony to that.
Having said that, I would not wish to judge anybody who struggles with whether they are real Christians or not. It is not for us to judge at all, we just need to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith and know that He has achieved for us what we could never achieve for ourselves and that He is with us always.

Agree with everything DO said ^^

Another committed Christian here although sometimes my commitment waxes and wanes . God and i are working on that one though.

Agree with DO, too. . I think if you read anything about or by any Christian who has not just been successful in their own lives but have made a significant positive, God-glorifying - for lack of a better word - impact on other peoples' lives it has never been a comfortable ride. Living that kind of life is a challenge that I rarely find myself able or willing to take on in practice though, even if it sounds amazing and inspirational in theory.

by comforting presence I meant he is very evidently with me at this time, sustaining me through the hard times I am going through currently - I can almost tangibly feel his support and love

not a comforting presence as in me being arrogant enough to think he is my comfort blanket to do whatever i like whenever i like against his will! Im no that wonky in my theology.

John 16:7, 8, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."

NB A QUOTE FROM A SERMON I LIKED: One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to comfort the believer. The word "comforter" means "one to run to our side and pick us up." This is what Jesus had done while He was on the earth. I John 2:1, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." The word "advocate" is the same word as "comforter" in John 16:7, 8. Hence, Jesus is our advocate, or comforter, or the one who runs to our side to pick us up. Especially was this true during His earthly life, but when He went back to Heaven, He sent us ANOTHER comforter. John 14:16, 17 and 26, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. But the Comforter, Which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." In a sense, the Holy Spirit came to be the babysitter for the Christians. Jesus was the One Who ran to our side; now He goes back to Heaven. He sends the Holy Spirit to do to all of us what He did when He was here.

It was Jesus who coined the phrase 'born again' - which has got hijacked somewhat by fundamentalists. ah well. I take 'born again' to mean having completely changed track, from living for yourself to handing over your life to God to live for him. Of course, we still do 'live for ourselves' - you can't get rid of that in a day! - but the difference is that you want to live for him.

I think 'born again' refers to the point when you are reconciled with God - through Jesus, who made it possible. We are technically born estranged from God (it is our natural human state) and when/if we choose to accept his offer of a relationship, we are reconciled with him re born anew. That's how I see it anyway.

springydaffs that what I meant (previously I was graceinabundance) !! Someone GOT me

Yes I consider myself born again. I am very grateful i have christian parents who taught me early about the God who created me and how our natural bent is towards Sin and selfishness (ie living to please ourselves). To be saved/born again is to acknowledge my sin and selfishness, repent of it and turn to living to please God. Sorry If that sounds dull but it really just makes sense. If God created the world and mankind then surely it is wise to consult him on how we should best live and if He has control of the afterlife and where we spend it then surely it is wise to consult Him about how we end up where we would like to for eternity!!
The Bible to me is just like a manual where we seek the answers from the maker and also a great wee link which explains the gospel better than I ever could is www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/
it is an Australian site with great resources and a clear way of explaining what it means to be born again.

Yes, there is an actual transaction when you turn from living for yourself and accept God's offer of relationship ie you are 'reborn', born of the spirit. The bible explains that when you invite God into your life, his spirit comes to live inside your heart, as it were. some people have a dramatic experience when that happens (I did) but not all do. For some it is a blinding flash of realisation, for some it is a gradual thing.

I hope to be! Planning to be either confirmed or re-baptised (that's another thread in itself) in 2012..

Brilliant explanations why am I so crap at explaining

The pressure's on when you're putting it up on a public board I think snow! I just want people to know how fabulously gorgeously wonderfully amazing he is, is all (though you ca't say that....)