The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-05-22
Christian Life Column,
NEEDLESS WORRY ABOUT BEING BORN
AGAIN"

generation" or the ssnew BIRTH
haYe been held and taught by differ
ent Christians along the centuries,
Inc the conversation of Jesus with
NlcOdemus was first recorded in the
Fourth Gospel. Yet, whatever be
the view entertained the new life is
to be accepted as a gift or grace from
God, and is not to be worried Over
as a duty or work on the part of the
individual.
1t has been claimed by many that
Christian baptism is the means or
vehicle of a new spiritual birth, or
of a regeneration. More than one
denomination of Christians has prac-
tically made this opinion funda-
mental to its membership.
Again, it has been held by many
that the term conversion" is sy-
nOnymOus with Regeneration and
that ''to be converted" is practically
the same as to ''be born again"
This view it is, however, more diff
cult to reconcile with the Bible text
since the revisers have removed
from the text the passive form, "be
converted" and substituted, as
more correct, the active form,
turn"
Other views, also have been held
with pO~sitiveness by Christian schol-
ars and Bible students. And with
all these views needless worry has
often come to the individual sinner.
Without entering into a discussion
as to the real meaning of the term,
to ''be born again" or as to the
term, to "be born again" or as to
the precise nature OF the new birth,
or changed spiritual being, it is
worth while to cali attention to the
unmistakable fact that Jesus does
not in any place, 10 does any in
spired disciple of His, give a COM
mand to an individual soul to 'be
born again, " or speak of a new birth
as if it We're a personal duty of the
individual. Only a failure to per
ceive the force of the words of Jesus
in that conversation with NiCOdemus
can account for the error, into which
many have fallen, of suppOsing that
the words, "Ye must be born again.
are the nature of a command or of
an obligation. 1t is the statement of
IA fact or a truth it is not the inn
perative command to a duty.
In the first place, it is to be noted
that it was not to the multitude on
the hillside, or the shore, OF by the
way, that Jesus stated this truth, as
if it were to enjoin on all a plain
duty. 1t was a conference at night
time with a theological professor. 1t
is to be considered accordingly. No
disciple of Jesus, according to the
New Testament, repeated that state
ment to those who called to
serve and trust Jesus.
Except a man be born anew Cor,
from above,D he cannot e the king
dom of God" These are the words
Of Jesus. And again, Marvel not
that [ said unto thee, Ye must be
born again" This IS not Il command
to Il duty, but isa plain statement of
d fact or a truth. 1t is d p~erversiOn
of the Scripturs to quote the words
as if they were d command.
Being born, the first time or the
second time, is clearly not Il duty to
be performed by ourselves. Nc man
can born himself. Turning to
God, submitting himself to God
that is Il duty. Being made "a new
man, being spiritually renewed, be
ing given a clearer Sight-that Is a
blessing from above. Turning, trust
ing-that is mans part. Renewing
regeneruting,-that is Gods part. If
we will do our part, God ear be re-
lied on to do His part. To doubt
this is wrong and unjustifable.
Yet this statement of IA p~hilOSOphl-
cal fact to Il theological teacher Is
often used as if it were a command
in an address to d child O to the
chilklike and thus it is made a
stumbling-block before, instead Of a
help toward or into, the kingdom Of
God. What sad consequences may
result to those who 7 misled by
their mistaken guides through this
misconceptiOn of an important truth
as declared by the Teacher of teach
erS!
1t is because the editor himself
CROPPED and agonized for long years
in the Christian life through being
mistaught by those who knew no
better, that he sounds "a note of
rrarninr nnainst SnnnOSing that be-