Born again again?

 This Sunday I think I sailed as close to the  wind of heresy as I ever have . . . or will. So let me make something explicitly clear right from the beginning: the moment you move into a relationship with God through Jesus empowered by the Holy Spirit (what is frequently called “conversion”) you are in that relationship. You are saved. You are converted. You have moved from death into life. There are many terms for this and you are all of them.

What I am thinking about in these sermons is how we can grow in our relationship with God and is it possible that a different way of thinking about that growth might help us. I think the answer is yes and as such was willing to take a chance on being misunderstood. My jumping off point is best made in the St. Mark’s sermon I think and revolves around the idea that Nicodemus was not “starting from scratch” when it came to being in a relationship with God. If Nicodemus had that relationship, and he did or the Old Testament tells us nothing, then is it possible that we might find ourselves in a somewhat equivalent position? Namely, needing to be reminded that God is willing to do a new thing in our spiritual lives that might be as dramatic as being born.

I am not here to tell you that I think I got this one completely, utterly, right but I hope it gives you something to think about. If you find what I said disturbing, I would like nothing better than to discuss it with you. Please feel free to add something to the comments here or on Facebook or get in touch with me directly barry [at] holtslander [dot] com

Knox Presbyterian How many times can we be born? (to download, right click and select “Save Link As . . .”)

St. Mark’s Presbyterian How many times can we be born? (to download, right click and select “Save Link As . . .”)

Blessings,