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For me, it's involves a change in the way we look at our fellow human beings and a strong desire to live as Jesus taught us to live. In The Book of Mormon it's described as something that takes place when the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, "has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." The actual words "born again" (according to Mormon doctrine) mean to be "born of God, changed from [a] carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters." In a nutshell, it means having the genuine desire to learn to love as God loves.
That would be basically my understanding. The concept might be a bit different in regards to the Spirit's identity or personage, but yes--the biblical concept means that we are regenerated, or made anew. We are born again of God's Spirit, and we would have a desire to do God's will. It should progressively change us over time.
That would be basically my understanding. The concept might be a bit different in regards to the Spirit's identity or personage, but yes--the biblical concept means that we are regenerated, or made anew. We are born again of God's Spirit, and we would have a desire to do God's will. It should progressively change us over time.
Well, how about that! We actually agree on something.
For me, it involves a change in the way we look at our fellow human beings and a strong desire to live as Jesus taught us to live. In The Book of Mormon it's described as something that takes place when the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, "has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." The actual words "born again" (according to Mormon doctrine) mean to be "born of God, changed from [a] carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters." In a nutshell, it means having the genuine desire to learn to love as God loves and to have a heartfelt desire to obey the what Jesus called the greatest commandment -- to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind and the second one as well -- to love thy neighbour as thyself.
I like that, and that actually reflects what I have come to feel and understand for myself, what I see is that my intellectual understanding is to be in subjection to that focus/desire which is the higher (His will not mine)
For me, it involves a change in the way we look at our fellow human beings and a strong desire to live as Jesus taught us to live. In The Book of Mormon it's described as something that takes place when the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, "has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." The actual words "born again" (according to Mormon doctrine) mean to be "born of God, changed from [a] carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters." In a nutshell, it means having the genuine desire to learn to love as God loves and to have a heartfelt desire to obey the what Jesus called the greatest commandment -- to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind and the second one as well -- to love thy neighbour as thyself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meerkat2
I like that, and that actually reflects what I have come to feel and understand for myself, what I see is that my intellectual understanding is to be in subjection to that focus/desire which is the higher (His will not mine)
I also liked the way she put that, especially that in a nutshell.
For me, it involves a change in the way we look at our fellow human beings and a strong desire to live as Jesus taught us to live. In The Book of Mormon it's described as something that takes place when the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, "has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." The actual words "born again" (according to Mormon doctrine) mean to be "born of God, changed from [a] carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters." In a nutshell, it means having the genuine desire to learn to love as God loves and to have a heartfelt desire to obey the what Jesus called the greatest commandment -- to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind and the second one as well -- to love thy neighbour as thyself.
I like that, and that actually reflects what I have come to feel and understand for myself, what I see is that my intellectual understanding is to be in subjection to that focus/desire which is the higher (His will not mine)
Thanks everyone for your input. I'm not finding any actual answers to the question I posed in my OP, though. Here it is again:
I would like to know how the experience of being "born again" has changed the way in which you interact with your fellow human beings, i.e. your fellow born-again Christians, all other Christians, non-Christians who are devout in their own beliefs, and non-religious or non-believing individuals?
I can't really answer this because I don't know what it's like to *not* be born again. Although I was not brought up Catholic, I was baptized at a young age, was raised by amazing Godly parents, and have always considered myself a Christian.
That said, I have experienced profound experiences of conversion in my own life; the most profound being my coming into the Catholic Faith. I'm truly not the same person I was before I became Catholic and received Christ sacramentally, body and blood, into my own body and soul. Certain sins I thought I'd never overcome, by the grace of God I have.
I can answer objectively that my baptism has given me the grace I need to turn from sin, love God and my neighbor, and persevere in salvation. I don't live up to those standards all the time, but I know that God has enabled me to, so any failing on my part is my own.
As for how different my life and my behaviors would be had I never been baptized; I can speculate based on the particular things I struggle with, but I can't know.
I can answer objectively that my baptism has given me the grace I need to turn from sin, love God and my neighbor, and persevere in salvation.
I get that, but you did not experience baptism as an infant, and I think that makes a big difference. That's just one reason why I believe it should come when a person is ready to appreciate it.
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