Born Twice, Died Once

The Christian's faith in God is according to knowledge revealed in the Bible, God's word.  As it is written, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:16-17).  As conversations between parents can go over their young children's heads, even when we have read through the Scriptures many times it is likely timeless truth has escaped the notice of born-again children of God until now.  There are also many things we know and believe to be true we have yet to appropriate, apply to our lives or guide our perspective.  Exposure to the word of God leads to our salvation, and a regular diet of God's word contributes mightily to our sanctification and spiritual maturity.

During recent study I came across a quote attributed to D.L. Moody that drove home an important point:  "He who is born once will die twice; he who is born twice will die once."  Every living human being was born of two parents, and due to sin everyone will die physically and also face the second death God spoke of in Revelation 20 & 21.  Those who are born-again by faith in Jesus, having been born a second time, will not be hurt by the second death that involves eternal torment in hell.  The death of our bodies will be the only death we face.  The awesome truth for Christians is our death is actually in the past, for by faith in Jesus we are baptised into Christ's death and resurrection.

Paul wrote to Christians in Romans 6:1-4:  "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."  In coming to Christ as Saviour, we have died to sin because Jesus tasted death for us, having provided atonement through His sacrifice on Calvary.  Spiritually speaking born-again Christians look upon the death of Jesus on the cross and realise we died with Him, and now we are risen with Him.  Thus we are to walk in newness of life, put off all sin and live in freedom from fear of death.

Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He affirmed Christians whose bodies die never die because He gives eternal life to all who trust in Him.  John 11:25-26 reads, "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  Jesus previously spoke about Lazarus, who had been dead due to an illness four days, as sleeping.  Because humans were created by God in His image, we will all face the judgment of God as conscious beings after the death of our bodies to either enter into the rest and joy of the LORD in His presence by the Gospel or be damned to hell in eternal torment for our sin--which is the second death.  Those who are born twice will die only once all because Jesus became sin for us so we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

Colossians 3:1-3 exhorts believers in light of all Jesus is who is our life, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  For Christians, our death should not loom fearfully in our future but is already over.  Having been raised with Christ, we are to seek those things which are above, that which is enduring, timeless and glorious--living after the glorious pattern of Christ rather than according to sinful flesh.  Thanks be to God who has taken away the sting of death and given us a glorious future and new identity through Jesus.  Knowing our death is in the past and we are called to walk by our Saviour in newness of life, this realisation by the power of the Holy Spirit will transform the way we live today.