Some folks get really heavy on the word 'born' vs 'begotten'
The bible uses both and, yes ,it means begotten. Don't
let a technical tree prevent you from seeing the beautiful
forest. He has given us a down-payment of the spirit - you're are
a new creation ... make no mistake ...you are not yet 'born' as
a spirit but you are being transformed here and now - like a
fetus being a real person even before its born - such are you if
you are begotten of God. Some verse below for you.
1 John 5:1-5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is
born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat
loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know
that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his
commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this
is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is
he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus
is the Son of God?
1 John 3:1-24 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:
therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we
shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man
that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is
pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for
sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was
manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not
seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive
you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is
righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil
sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of
the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God,
neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message
that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one
another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his
brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were
evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if
the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto
life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his
brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a
murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding
in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down
his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from
him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children,
let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in
truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall
assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God
is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if
our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his
sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on
the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he
gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments
dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he
abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1 John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of
God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth
God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In
this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God
sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he
loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. |