Tag Archives: being born again

The Redemptive One

Posted on December 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Nicknames have a way of taking on their own identity. Depending upon the person and setting in which this nickname was derived, this can bring a new dimension to someone’s personality. As for Moses, God introduces Himself as El-Shaddai. While I have heard Michael Card’s classic song on numerous occasions, I never realized that this name refers to God as the Redemptive One.

I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by My [a]name the Lord [Yahweh—the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles], Exodus 6:3.

Over the course of the Old Testament, followers of God mention more than 20 distinct names when addressing this Supreme Being. Twelve of these reflect personalities of God in the form of Jehovah. Each title distinguishes the abilities, nature and power of God. In the passage above, God introduces Himself to Moses as the Redemptive One.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

Thousands of years later, Jesus meets with a first century Pharisee named Nicodemus. This religious leader wanted to know more about Jesus’ teaching of being born again. After a touch of sarcasm from Nicodemus in John 3:1-4, Jesus privately reveals God’s plan of salvation. John 15:12-13 and Romans 5:7-8 both highlight the spiritual powers of the Redemptive One.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Lost and Found

Posted on December 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

If you’ve ever lost something valuable at school or work, most places still have a lost and found area. While this doesn’t mean that a good Samaritan will take the time to return what you lost, there is a process in place to restore what was lost. During a meal with a first century tax collector, Jesus refers to His purpose for coming to earth: to seek and to save that which was lost.

And Jesus said to him, Today is [[b]Messianic and spiritual] salvation come to [all the members of] this household, since Zacchaeus too is a [real spiritual] son of Abraham; 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:9-10.

This concept was shared with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Meeting under the cover of darkness, Nick wanted to know more about being born again, John 3:1-5. Trying to be sarcastic, Jesus shuts down any attempts by Nicodemus to be funny. Jesus felt so strongly about the topic of lost and found, the hope of eternal life is presented below.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

Christian artist Brit Nicole sings about this message in her song “the Lost Get Found.” If you want to dissect this spiritual concept, God isn’t a disciplinarian looking to strike sinners down with fire and brimstone from heaven. Rather, God’s heart breaks when a sheep gets lost, Luke 15:6-7. Therefore, God loves the lost and sent His one and only son Jesus to save us from sin. This is the hope of Christmas: the Mass of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

When the Spirit of Life is Released

Posted on May 11, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When my mother’s father passed away, my family was right by his side. As my sister Cindy read to my grandfather Psalm 23, his breathing began to decrease. For the first and only time in my life so far, I witnessed the Spirit of Life being released. While the world refers to this process as death, for those who have made reservations for heaven, 1 John 5:12-13, this physical body is replaced with an eternal spirit.

The days of Abraham’s life were 175 years. 8 Then Abraham’s spirit was released, and he died at a good (ample, full) old age, an old man, satisfied and satiated, and [a]was gathered to his people, Genesis 25:7-8.

According to Jesus’ earthly brother, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, James 4:13-15. If it was up to me, I’ll stick around until my boys have grandchildren and I’ll be there to walk Lydia down the aisle at her wedding, if it’s God’s will for her to be married. Unfortunately, I don’t have the script of my life so I’ll have to take life one day at a time to see what happens next.

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? 5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God, John 3:3-5.

From a spiritual perspective, Jesus spoke of being born again. One Pharisee thought Jesus was joking so Nicodemus responds with sarcasm. Following this brief exchange, Nicodemus doesn’t say another word, listening to the words of John 3:16-17. John brings this up in another letter, urging first century Christian’s to make your eternal reservations in heaven before your spirit of life is released, 1 John 5:12-13.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Regenerated

Posted on February 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I grew up watching the Six Million Dollar Man Starring Lee Majors. When Air Force Colonel Steve Austin crashes during a test flight, many of his damaged body parts are replaced by experimental bionic limbs. In this series’ theme song, the voice over explains that modern scientists have the technology to save his life at a cost of six million dollars. The Bible speaks of a different kind of regeneration. A spiritual one.

You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal [d]origin ([e]seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. 24 For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, 25 But the Word of the Lord ([f]divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you, 1 Peter 1:23-25.

There are plenty of mornings when I wake up that I feel dead tired, unable to function as I should or want. Like rebooting a computer, how you start your day can make a big difference. In the passage above, Peter refers to a supernatural presence that comes from the Bible. The author of Hebrews refers to this book as living and active with an ability to penetrate your soul, Hebrews 4:12.

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([c]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself,] Ephesians 2:8-9.

The first discussion about regeneration leaves Nicodemus curious and confused, John 3:1-17. This first century Pharisee was thinking about being born again from a physical aspect. This is the reason for Nicodemus’ sarcasm. Yet, as the Paul apostle mentions in the passage above, spiritual regeneration is unmerited. This free gift is offered to you, Romans 6:23. However, regeneration doesn’t begin until you accept this as your own, Romans 10:9-11. The more you read and learn, the greater your faith grows,

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Why the World is Falling Apart

Posted on June 29, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Gone are the days of Wilbur Wilberforce, when politicians did the right thing without taking a poll, trying to get re-elected or win public approval.  In an attempt to get ahead, integrity has been swept under the rug, trampled by greed, power and souls seeking victory whatever the cost.  Lurking in the darkness, the reason for this decline lies in John 8:34.

Slavery, a grave reminder of the past, is alive and well inside the heart’s of human beings.  Although mankind think they are in control, sin is large and in charge, holding individuals captive, Romans 7:14-20.  Perhaps this truth led the apostle Paul, one of the godliest men to ever live to claim he was one of the greatest sinners ever, 1 Timothy 1:15.  If you had to diagnosis why the world is falling apart, sin is a prime suspect.

Discipline, good intentions and self-control may appear to be full proof, but in the end its like fool’s gold.  Subsequently, the grasp of sin prevents countless from doing the right thing, Romans 8:5-8, something Paul knew from personal experience.  Until people acknowledge the reality of their soul, a sinner in desperate need of a Savior, John 3:3-5, the world will continue its downward spiral.  May the Lord help put people back together, one soul at a time, Luke 15:7.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Just Once Lord

Posted on August 12, 2013 by expressyourself4him
Thumbnail of Quincy Jones 

In 1981, James Ingram provided the vocals for the song Just Once on Quincy Jones’ album entitled The Dude.  This song appeared in many movies during the 1980’s, often portraying heart break to close out a scene.  The context of these lyrics reveal just how fragile earthly relationships are, falling apart over the course of time.  However, indirectly, this song also touches on several biblical truths about mankind’s severed connection with God.

“Just Once” lyrics in BOLD print.

I did my best
But I guess my best wasn’t good enough

According to the Bible, there is nobody good enough, not even one, Romans 3:9-12.  Thus, no matter how hard I or you try to be good, it’s impossible not to sin.   Whatever good intentions you might have as you get up each and every day will fade when anger, disappointment or frustration comes your direction.

Cause here we are
Back where we were before
Seems nothin’ ever changes
We’re back to being strangers

The conception of sin has alienated individuals from God, banished from God’s presence just like Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:23-24.  This separation is what the Bible refers to as spiritual darkness, like Nicodemus in John 3:1-9, blind to the spiritual reality Jesus was trying to communicate.
Wondering if we ought to stay
Or head on out the door

For 10 years as a Bible teacher, I heard students ask, “why has God abandoned me?”  While I wasn’t exactly sure how to answer each person with gentleness and respect, most leave God, not vice versa.  The devil uses bitterness to shift the blame toward God, not themselves.

Just once…

Can’t we figure out what we keep doin’ wrong                                                                                                                                                   Why we never last for very long
What are we doin’ wrong
Just once…

The apostle Paul illustrates a similar struggle in Romans 7:15-17.  Until he added Jesus into this equation, Paul kept committing the same mistakes, over and over again.

Can’t we find a way to finally make it right
To make the magic last for more than just one night

Humanly speaking, effort is not what most people lack.  The wages of sin result in the payment of death, Romans 6:23.  Although some call it magic, what Jesus did on the cross is a miracle, Colossians 2:13-15.

If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it
(Hmm hmmmm)

The only way to break through is by becoming born again, Galatians 2:20.  Any other attempts to enter God’s gates through another route will fail, John 10:7-10.

I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
Cause Lord knows we’re not gettin’ anywhere
Seems we’re always blowin’
Whatever we’ve got goin’
And it seems at times with all we’ve got
We haven’t got a prayer

Whenever you pull a Hagar, by forcing a relationship without God’s assistance, Genesis 16:2, negatives consequences follow.  Just ask the Israelites, as Ishmael became the father of the Arab nation, which ultimately wants to destroy the Jews today.  However, with God, everything is possible, Matthew 19:26.  Therefore, Lord, just once, on this day, make your presence real to those searching for true meaning and a higher purpose in life.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Upside Down

Posted on November 24, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Imagery is used in books, movies and real life to communicate a deeper or hidden meaning. In the Bible, light and darkness is used as a metaphor to illustrate right from wrong. When the circumstances of life comes crashing down upon you, turning everything you thought you knew upside down, it’s time to return to the book of life for answers, Revelation 13:8.

Matthew 16:24-28 is a passage difficult to comprehend from a worldly point of view. The moment a child enters this world, they cry out for to their mother and then to whoever will change or feed them. This urging or desire is what the Bible calls our sinful nature, passed on from Adam, down to each and every generation, Romans 5:12. Nonetheless, Jesus turns everything you have learned about life around in Matthew 16:25. Life is not about taking control, holding onto it for dear life; real life is found by giving it away.

I guess you can say people are in desperate need of a mind transplant, transforming their thoughts from their self to others, Romans 12:1-2. Like the old Michael W. Smith song proclaims in its lyrics, “love isn’t love until you give it away!”. Therefore, as shoopers try to recover from the carnage that is Black Friday, let these words of Jesus soak in to help you catch the Christmas spirit; not for a season, for the rest of your earthly life. If you want to turn the world upside down, it’s begins deep inside your heart, John 3:5-8.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.