Understand, teach and hold firm to the truth of the Gospel of Christ.
‘’For you have been born again (re-born), not of perishable (mortal) seed (Gk: spora), but of imperishable (immortal), through the living and enduring word of God.
For (because),
“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers (blossoms) of the field; the grass withers (shrivel) and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures (gk: meno – does not end or stop) forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you. ‘’(1 Peter 1:23 – 25)
Humans die and their glory fades but those born not just by mortal humans but by the word of God, live forever just as the word of God does.
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Origin according to the dictionary means ‘’the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived’’.
Origin is tied to identity. It defines who we are, how we see ourselves and ultimately how we deal with life and everything it entails. I am not an Anthropologist, nevertheless, I teach as an ordained Minister of the good news of Jesus Christ, called by Jesus to his body and devoted to the scriptures.
For us as Bible-believing followers of Christ, the start of the human species is as it is recorded in Genesis 1:27:
‘’So God created mankind (ADAM: means humanity not ‘male’) in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’’ (NIV)
The origin (start) of humans is therefore the first human – Adam.
This human was formed ‘’…from the dust of the ground and (God) breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.’’ [Genesis 2:7]
However, as the account in the very next chapter of Genesis shows, though he was still standing physically, from God’s all-knowing viewpoint, Adam (humanity) died. He died spiritually when he disobeyed God and chose instead, to obey the Devil.
Romans 5:12 reiterates: ‘’Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned.’’
Hence the need for a rebirth.
In the John3:3-5 discuss,
... “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.''
Nicodemus' mind could not understand Jesus' words but Jesus helps him (and us all) by explaining in verse 6 that:
‘’Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.’’
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The rebirth Jesus brings is a rebirth of the Spirit of the human person. That person becomes a new creation because his old creation ( the old human spirit) has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
If Origin means ‘’the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived’’, then the real origin of everyone that accepts the rebirth that Jesus Christ died to give, is Christ himself. He is the progenitor of the new reborn human race, i.e the second Adam.
Our origin is Jesus Christ: The Word of God! It is the ’word of the Lord which endures (gk: meno – does not end or stop) forever”! We cannot give what we don't have or are not aware of. If your identity is Christ, you give Christ. If it is something else, that is what you will give.
The good news (Gospel) about Jesus Christ is the seed for the new birth. That message, once accepted, rebirths the Spirit immediately and serves as the deposit for the rebirth of the flesh (human body) when Jesus comes again to take his own!.
‘’For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.’’ 1 Corinthians 15:21 -23
This is our origin, our life, and our future. This is what we give: eternal life.
''Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.''
''See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ.'' Colossians 2:8
''So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.'' 1 Corinthians 15: 45 - 49
''You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near.'' James 5:8
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