A Christian means a person who is spiritually born again. This does not mean a person has stopped being the person they used to. Rather, it means, they are spiritually born again to belong to Someone who gave them this “new birth.”

What was our contribution to be born from our mothers and fathers?

“Nothing” is the only answer.

Guess what?

To be born-again, to be a new creation in Christ Jesus, we contributed nothing.

“He [Jesus] came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:11-13

God accepts only those who are “born of God.” Who are these people? They are the only ones who respond to the Gospel, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, what is important in a Christian life?

To be a new creation in Christ! Nothing less, and nothing more!

Some false teachers sneaked into the churches of Galatians and began to preach to the Christians in those churches that they needed to add a few things to be considered as born-again Christians.

You know what that means?

This is to say that Jesus is not good enough! You need to do “such and such” so God will accept you with favor, answers your prayers and on and on.

In the story of the Galatian Churches, the false teachers wanted the Christians there to be circumcised in addition to be born-again. Why do these false brothers do that?

Listen:

“Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” Galatians 6:12

Do you see that?

If they promote work, legalism and the Jews religion, the Roman soldiers won’t bother them.  But if they preach the cross of Christ, they become history. They get persecuted! So, to avoid persecution and “to make a good showing in the flesh” – to be seen as respected, honored and especially favored people of God by others, they added to the Gospel.

This is the story in every human generation. That is why false teachers are present in our generation and in every generation.

As Christians, we always need to remember that what is important for us is whether we are a new creation or not. We don’t need anything more to this. Everything we learn from the word of God bases on this foundation. Only the person who is born of God leads a God-glorifying life and the word of God is written for that person who is born of God.

Paul writes:

“Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:12-16

Amen!

So, it is good to ask ourselves whether we are born of God or not because we may give all our possessions to the poor, we may build houses to the poor and feed the hungry but if we are not born of God, we will never see eternal life. ///