Articles

Born Again – an imperative, not a Choice

The word “must” is an imperative and it is therefore not negotiable. It is dei and, in this context, means “it is necessary” or, “it is necessary to achieve some end” (i,.e. salvation). This is reinforced by another meaning given by the Greek text itself – “necessity established by the counsel and decree of God, especially as it relates to salvation! With such a clear teaching, how can a reformed man possibly deny it, and say that children under the age of responsibility automatically go to heaven? When we search the scriptures we dare not interleave our own well-meant interpretations with the actual meanings of the words used in the texts.

That this command – to be born again – is an imperative is reinforced even further by the root-word for dei (which is the third person singular active present). The root is deo, which means to bind, fastened; to be under an obligation e.g. of the law. The word must, then, prohibits any leeway in interpretation. So, when the Lord says we must be born again. He meant it to apply to all men of any age at any time. There are no exceptions, not even the tiniest of children.

Later in verse 15 Jesus defines who would enter heaven: . . .  Whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. This whoever is the same whoever found in verse 16. These are the born again ones mentioned in earlier verses. Now, how can a child who is under the so called age of responsibility possibly believeth in him? Do you really know what believeth in him means? The actual Greek for believeth, pisteuo, means to be committed to, or to put one’s trust in something/someone. That is, to think something is true, by being persuaded enough to have confidence in it. This includes all aspects of the soul, including the intellect.

Giving