A senator from Iowa says he is Christian, but not born-again. That is silly. It is as if a person says he is communist but does not honor the teaching of Lenin, or someone who says he is Muslim and does not honor the words of Mohammad. Jesus said to Nicodemus, a religious leader of the Jews, "Ye MUST be born-again." It is not an option for those who want to go to heaven, for we must be born-again/converted/saved. It is not only famous saints such as Augustine, Calvin, and Mother Teresa who must pass from the power of darkness to the kingdom of light, but each one of us, in order to have fellowship with the God of the universe. It is no wonder church seems so boring and useless, when one goes without supernatural conversion, for the gr.eat and precious promises of the peace of God and his joy are only for those who have obeyed the command of Jesus to "Follow me."
If you are offended by the right wing born-again folks, then try reading Sojourner magazine and Jim Wallis of the left wing born-again folks! Whether we are inclined to support big business or unions, conspicuous consumption or a simple lifestyle, we must still be born-again in order to be Christian. Are we better people then? No, we are not better at all, and are often worse than those who are not Christian. The only difference between a Christian and a person who. Is not a Christian is that the Christian is supernaturally born-again. Therefore we have the Holy Spirit, or God with us, in addition to our normal human nature. At any time we can regress/backslide into anti Biblical behavior when we choose that. Hopefully we then choose to repent and to be a consistant follower of Jesus Christ. Do we really and sincerely want to love and to obey and to honor Jesus Christ as God? If so, that is a good sign that we have been born-again. If we do not, then that is a good sign we have not become Christian at all!
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