Born Again or Saved?

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July 12, 2006

Is there a difference in being 'born again,’ and in being 'saved'?  Have you ever asked someone..." are you born again? "Or, Have you ever told someone ......"you need to get saved"?    

The word "Born" means 'brought into life'.  When God said ..." Let us make man in our image and after our likeness," He brought Adam into life, a 'spirit-man'. (Genesis 1:26, 27) Later, God used dust, to form a robe of clay for the spirit of man. (Genesis 2:7). This robe of clay, the physical body, was not Adam, but simply clothing for his spirit. Because of disobedience, Adam fell and was separated from the presence of God.  Only through Jesus Christ, do we have access back to the Father. When we believe in Jesus and accept what He purchased on the cross, we are 'born AGAIN.' We are 'brought into life' again, in spirit. HALLELUJAH! The question of where we will spend eternity is settled.   "For to be absent from the body, is to be present with the LORD."  (I Corinthians 5:3) 

After a man is 'Born-AGAIN,’ he begins a new life. He must now learn to be an 'OVERCOMER'. Have you noticed that your physical body was not born again? Have you also discerned that your mind was not born again either? The greatest unbeliever you deal with in life is not the devil, because devils believe and tremble. Rather, it will be your own carnal mind. The only part of you that is born AGAIN is the hidden man of the heart. The body and mind must be brought into obedience to the word of God.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things." (Philippians 4:8, 16)

The word SAVE means: deliver, rescue, preserve and keep. Even though a man is "born-AGAIN", he still needs to be SAVED. We must be rescued from our old habits and desires. We need His help, to overcome our temper, pride, lust, rebellion, greed, bitterness, envy, a sharp tongue, an unforgiving heart...etc.  These are not devils, as we were taught; these are heart attitudes, all too recognizable in Christians. It is the believer who cries out to be 'SAVED". Many 'born-again' believers, on their way to heaven, live under the discipline of God, because of their heart attitude.

All through the Bible, it is the believer who cries out to be saved. Peter, sinking beneath the waves, cried out....."Lord, SAVE ME!" (Matthew 14:30) The disciples came to Jesus saying, "Lord, SAVE US, we perish." (Matthew 8:25)  David wrote, "Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed." (Psalms 20:6) “The LORD shall save them because they trust in Him. (Psalms 37:40)  "Save with thy right hand and hear me. (Psalms 60:5)  "Save thy servant that trusted in thee." (Psalms 86:2)

'Born-AGAIN’ believers must cry out to God....."SEARCH ME, O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART: TRY ME, AND KNOW MY THOUGHTS:  AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY WICKED WAY IN ME, AND LEAD ME IN THE WAY EVERLASTING." (Psalms139:23, 24)