Thirdly, a fundamental truth we need to know about being born again is the truth that our minds do not get born again when we believe in Jesus. Neither does the mind instantaneously take on a new nature when our spirits are born again. So we are told in Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Here, we are taught that it is when we renew our minds that the transformation we receive in our spirits, when we believe in Jesus, manifests outwardly in our daily lives. It is also when our minds are renewed that we are able to know the will of God. The Word of God is the intent, counsel, and purposes of God: this is the will of God. Therefore, to renew your mind is to change your old ways of thinking, and line up your thinking, perceptions, wisdom, and understanding with the word of God. This happens when we read, meditate, study and listen to the Word of God.
When we fail to renew our minds, we end up retaining the carnal mind we had before coming to Jesus. This is the mind set on and governed by the flesh, which the Bible says is enmity and hostile towards God (Romans 8:5-7). No matter who you are, when you have a carnal mind, the Bible teaches that you will live according to the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:5) “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile (enmity) toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7-8).
Those who fail to obey God’s word to have their carnal minds renewed, set themselves up to become enemies of God. They will inevitably practise the deeds of the flesh, of which the Scripture warns, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). This forewarning and warning, were not written to unbelievers but to the church! Christians are doubly warned that if we decide to make a practice of sin by living after the flesh we shall be excluded from entering the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21, see also Matthew 7:21-23). How then could we ever subscribe to the deception that sin cannot send the Christian to hell, when the Bible teaches the direct opposite? How could we know these Scriptures and be deceived by the doctrine of once saved forever saved?
Many have also come under the erroneous conclusion that once they are born again their spirits have become so perfect so that their spirits could never be tainted again. But the Bible says no such thing, and actually contradicts this statement sharply with a warning: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness… Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord,“and do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you…“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). The Bible in these verses admonish Christians that not only can our bodies be defiled but our born-again spirits can also be defiled by indulgences in sin.
The Greek word translated defilement is “molysmos”, which is also translated as filthiness i.e. disgustingly dirty. Therefore, to come under the impression that the born again spirit can never be tainted by sin is to be ignorant of what the Scriptures teach and thereby be deceived. According to the Scriptures, indulging in sin makes the spirit unclean. And the Scripture warns that in the kingdom of God “nothing unclean will ever enter it” (Revelation 21:27). For those who are not given entrance into God’s kingdom, the Bible says “…they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death (Revelation 21:8). Seeing this, let’s stop joking and get serious with God and His Word. If you follow the deception of “eternal security no matter how you choose to live” and thereby make a practice of sin, your name will be excluded from the book of life. This fourth basic Scriptural truth, that our born again spirits can be defiled and thereby prevented from entering the kingdom of heaven should be enough for us to dissociate ourselves from the error of once saved forever saved.
God’s remedy for us to keep our spirits from being defiled is to separate ourselves from indulging in sin. This starts with confessing our sins before God and repenting (turning away) from them. Just as the Bible says “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Again the Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
To be continued.
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
May 21, 2019