On the previous Un-Blog we discussed the Straight and Narrow Way, and the Baptism of Fire. I want to discuss today how to tell if one has been Born Again.
The list I included in the previous Un-Blog includes various names the scriptures use to describe this grand spiritual upgrade. It is interesting and wonderful that it takes so many names to describe it. One of the factors bringing forth so many names is that there is not just one rebirth, or might change we enjoy, but there is a continuum of them.
Each name describes being Born Again at some level, and since there are many levels, there are many names.
Let’s also note that there is not one format for the being Born Again. Different people experience each level differently, and with more or lesser emphasis. For some it is one long process that ends in a serene righteousness. For others, it is many events which immerse them in spiritual fire. It is even true that some people experience much of it without realizing it, as did the Lamanites in 3 Nephi 9:20.
My guess is that most people don’t realize they have been Born Again until later. So, the question is, how can you tell if you’ve already experienced being Born Again, and on what level. One can tell by the spiritual attributes you possess.
If you have developed, or have been given by a powerful experience, some of these attributes in some degree, not all and not perfectly, but in some degree, then you have been Born Again on some level. If you have all of them, then you have been Born Again in the greatest sense possible:
- Faith in Jesus Christ
- Testimony of Jesus Christ
- Love of God
- Love of fellow man
- Humble
- Meek
- Obedient to counsel
- Willing to submit to all things
- Patient in suffering
- Teachable
- Love of the Scriptures
- Delight in prayer
- Become as a little child
- Full of Faith, Hope and Charity
- Possess some of the gifts of the Spirit: Faith, testimony of Jesus Christ, Belief, Discernment, Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith to be healed, Faith to heal, Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning spirits, speaking or interpretation of tongues – and many others.
- Have a perfect knowledge of Christ
- Possess the fullness of the Priesthood
If you possess some of these gifts, and if they flow forth from you in things you do and say, then you have been born again on some level. If you felt it once, but no longer do, then you were born again, and have allowed yourself to step back.
Now, let me state the not-so-obvious. There are many stages and many degrees of being born again. There is the moment when someone knows by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ. This is a very real moment when the Holy Ghost changes us. It is a necessary step for every mortal and is the nativity of a Christ-filled life. On the far end of that same journey is the moment the heavens open, the veil parts, and we step into the presence of Jesus Christ; when we no longer have faith in Christ, but a personal and perfect knowledge of Him; when we have become like Him, and have His image and perfections in our countenances. This is not just a “mighty change” but the mightiest change mankind may enjoy and still remain upon the earth.
So, between these two glorious bookends of the “Born Again” continuum there are many milestone upgrades to our souls which change us by Grace and prepare us for the “Perfect Day” when Christ shall appear. Each of these incrementally greater changes is a Rebirth, an awakening and a Mighty Change. Each of them happens because we acted upon and fully embraced the light where we were, and at that level we were perfect in obedience, and then the next step along the path took us to another Grace-empowered rebirth.
Let me illustrate this process in over-simplified terms.
Someone studies the scripture, or embraces the testimony of another, and in an inspired moment their heart burns for the first time with a testimony that Jesus is the Christ. Most probably, this happens in the Christian universe, not within the relatively tiny orbit of the LDS church.
This person’s life will change dramatically. Suddenly, there is a whole world of things to learn and to do. There is action required, commandments to live, a commitment to make, possibly a baptism to submit to, scriptures to study and service to render. The voice of the Holy Spirit becomes more audible, urging obedience and compliance with the law of Christ.
If that newly minted Christian will submit, obey and act, then another dispensation of Grace will bring that person to a greater rebirth. If they do not act upon these things their testimony of Christ is urging them to do, then they remain at this level or decline. But, they do not advance spiritually.
At some point, they will receive the opportunity to hear the truths of the Restored Gospel, and the Holy Spirit will urge them to listen and to comply. When they do, further and greater opportunities open before them. They receive greater ordinances empowered by true priesthood power. The blessings of the Temple become available and covenants begin to operate in their lives.
If they live true and faithful to these greater things, angels, seen and unseen, work in their lives. Miracles happen, great opportunities for service appear. Grace flows like a river and covenants define a more narrow and exacting course of life.
If they obey, embrace and covenant, then they are born again, and again and again. Calling and Election occurs, splitting the night sky with spiritual lightning. Doctrine of the priesthood distills upon the soul, visions, miracles and angelic ministrations bless and protect. Each change is a mighty one, and each is a rebirth.
In the furthest reaches of human believing, we begin to see the veil before us, and the blessings of a personal experience with Jesus Christ beckoning us into His light.
Every step requires obedience to truths known, and promptings heard. Each step is unavoidable and cannot be skipped or zoomed over. Each step is in itself a rebirth, an awakening and a mighty change. Each occurs by the Grace of Christ, and each is a Baptism of Fire in some degree until we actually enter the fire of divine presence.
Next on the Un-Blog: Obtaining the Baptism of Fire and of the Holy Ghost
Brother John
© March 2012, John M. Pontius, all rights reserved. Non-commercial reproduction permitted.
Well I was just going to ask: Where does Baptism by fire and the holy ghost fit into this? But I see you will be talking about it seperately.
I do believe that we are born again over and over, moving upward each time. But it seems to me that all of the examples in scripture of the baptism by fire and holy ghost are an extreme, singular experience….one you won’t miss, so to speak. What do you think?
I agree, the scriptures more often are referring to a dramatic event, which does happen often. But, given the repetative and sometimes invisible nature of this spiritual process, it is important to know that you could be far beyond where you think you are.
The only thing that makes me feel as if you have to “know for sure” about being baptized by fire and the holy ghost, is that Nephi is clear that if we experience BF&HG and were to deny the Lord afterward we would become a son of perdition.
That seems like it would be an experience you were sure of, if it carries that kind of responsibility. Even the Lamanites referenced by the Lord were encircled about by fire. At least that is the reference used in the scriptures. What do you think? I hope you can address that in your next unblog.
I hadn’t thought of it before, but I usually don’t see my own progress except in hindsight, because it is often in incremental stages.
On rarer occasions I’ve experienced a baptism by fire, being aware that a trial is a test and an opportunity to grow even while experiencing it. If I can seek my Father’s will while under duress, the Lord’s immediate generosity becomes evident more suddenly, and i can almost see my growth as I am making the tough choices.
My fires have been tiny compared to some I know, but I still cherish these growth experiences…after they are over, of course.
I think of this process as becoming cleansed from sin. When I have repented thoroughly and feel filled with the power of the Holy Ghost then I am richly blessed with a spiritual rebirth to a degree. As I am strengthened by each of these experiences, then I am given greater grace. This line upon line, experience by experience, and thus rebirth by rebirth process has blessed me beyond any measure of my own. This is also a lot like climbing a mountain. I have made strides up the mountain of grace but most times it one step forward and struggle not to take a step or two backward. I have to admit I have taken many steps backward in my life but by the grace of Christ and the help of many others I have been blessed to move upward. I thank you John for this wonderful post.
With respect to this topic, consider Nephi’s famous ‘psalm’ in 2 Ne 4:17-35. It’s been discussed in the unblog before that spiritual highs are inevitably followed by some lows, even in the absence of blatant acts of disobedience or rebellion on the part of the individual. It seems reasonable that as God’s children traverse the continuum of spiritual rebirth, each event resulting in greater knowledge and confidence in one’s standing before God, that satan would be vested in deflating that confidence by exploiting the weakness of the flesh; the aim being to redirect attention away from the infinite mercies of God, and hopefully forgetting to further call upon Him or feeling unworthy to do so. For how could one who once received such favor from God, approach Him again after feeling such things as carnal men sometimes do? It seems so logical.
Nephi’s words are a great source of strength and instruction. Nephi was on the ‘far end’ born again continuum, having seen angels and visions and the Lord. Yet he wallowed in grief and deflated confidence because of the whisperings of satan exploiting his mortal weakness. Nephi’s cure was to remember in detail all of the marvelous things the Lord had done for him. Verses 20-25 are like a sequential recount of the major events of his own spiritual rebirth – starting with blessings that accompanied their journey in the wilderness and culminating with the vision of all and things that could not be written. His remembrance provided the strength to reason away the debilitating wiles of the adversary and regain the confidence in his standing before the Lord, which was never really lost, just stolen for a moment.
Beautiful. Thank you for reminding us. We certainly all do feel the tide of mortality pulling us back out to sea. I am so grateful for the Grace of my Savior that continually pulls me into His arms. Thank you.
John
In a post above Clarice said:
Even the Lamanites referenced by the Lord were encircled about by fire. At least that is the reference used in the scriptures. What do you think? I hope you can address that in your next unblog.
—————–
I think Clarice is referring to the experience described in Helaman 5:43
42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth [Christ]; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed.
43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.
44 And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.
Helaman 5:42-44
Some believe the Savior’s statement in 3 Nephi 9:20 means that the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost can be a gradual unidentifiable experience. However, older versions of the scriptures reference Helaman 5:43 as the event that the Savior was referring to.
Like Claris I also wonder if the Book of Mormon is telling us that the BF&HG is a distinct event that each of us should strive for.
It’s the “love of fellow man” thing where I fall down. I’m not so good at charity. Lots of work ahead for me.
For us all, in truth.
I want to make a correction to my post above where I said:
Some believe the Savior’s statement in 3 Nephi 9:20 means that the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost can be a gradual unidentifiable experience. However, older versions of the scriptures reference Helaman 5:43 as the event that the Savior was referring to.
The reference isn’t just in “older versions” of the B of M, but it is still there in the latest version, but it runs the other way. Reference ‘a’ in Helaman 5:45 sites the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 9:20 where He says:
20 … And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
3 Nephi 9:20