Without the presence of the Spirit there is no conviction, no regeneration, no sanctification, no cleansing, no acceptable works . . . Life is in the quickening Spirit. — W A. CRISWELL

 
BIRTH and rebirth. Both are the result of the operation of the Holy Spirit. Just as nothing can live biologically apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, so no man can come alive to God apart from the Spirit’s work
In His discourse with Nicodemus, Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit:
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
To be “born again” is to experience a second genesis. It is a new beginning, a fresh start in life. When something is started, we say that it is generated. If it is started again, it is regenerated. The Greek verb geniauo that is translated as “generate” means “to be,” “to become,” or “to happen.” Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is a change. It is a radical change into a new kind of being.
To be regenerated does not mean that we are changed from a human being into a divine being. It does mean that we are changed from spiritually dead human beings into spiritually alive human beings.
Spiritually dead persons are incapable of seeing the kingdom of God. It is invisible to them, not because the kingdom itself is invisible, but because the spiritually dead are also spiritually blind.
REGENERATION AS NECESSARY
When Jesus uses the word unless in speaking to Nicodemus, He is stating what we call a necessary condition. A necessary condition is an absolute prerequisite for a desired result to take place. We cannot have fire without the presence of oxygen because oxygen is a necessary condition for fire.
In the jargon of Christianity people speak of “born again” Christians. Technically speaking, this phrase is redundant. If a person is not born again, if he is not regenerate, then he is not a Christian. He may be a member of a Christian church. He may profess to be a Christian. But unless a person is regenerate, he is not in Christ, and Christ is not in him.
The word unless makes regeneration a sine qua non of salvation. No regeneration, no eternal life. Without regeneration a person can neither see the kingdom nor enter the kingdom.
When Nicodemus was puzzled by Jesus’ teaching he replied:
How can a man be born when be is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? (John 3:4)
Nicodemus’s response almost seems like an attempt to ridicule Jesus’ teaching. In crass terms he suggests that Jesus must mean that a fully grown person must attempt the impossible task of returning to his mother’s womb.
Nicodemus failed to distinguish biological birth from spiritual birth. He didn’t differentiate between flesh and spirit. Jesus answered his response by saying,
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.” (John 3:5-7)
Again Jesus prefaces His words by saying, “Most assuredly, I say to you . . .” The “most assuredly”— the Hebrew amen, carried over into the New Testament — indicates strong emphasis. That is, when Jesus spoke of regeneration as a necessary condition for seeing and entering the kingdom of God, he stated this necessary condition emphatically. To argue against the need of rebirth to be a Christian, as many of our contemporaries frequently do, is to stand in clear opposition to the emphatic teaching of Christ.
The word cannot is also crucial to Jesus’ teaching. It is a negative word that deals with ability or possibility. Without regeneration no one (universal negative) is able to enter the kingdom of God. There are no exceptions. It is impossible to enter God’s kingdom without a rebirth.
No one is born a Christian. No one is born biologically into the kingdom of God. The first birth is one that is of the flesh. Flesh begets flesh. It cannot produce spirit.
Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus adds this comment:
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. (John 6:2 3)
When Martin Luther was debating whether fallen man is utterly dependent upon the Holy Spirit for regeneration, he cited this text and added: “The flesh profits nothing. And that ‘nothing’ is not a ‘little something.’”
The flesh is not merely weak with respect to the power of rebirth. It is utterly impotent. It has no power whatever to effect rebirth. It cannot aid or enhance the Spirit’s work. All that the flesh yields is more flesh. It cannot yield an ounce of Spirit. The nothing is not a little something.
Finally Jesus says, “You must be born again.” If there is the slightest ambiguity with the use of the conditional word unless, the ambiguity completely evaporates with the word must.

R.C. Sproul

John 8
 12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
 13The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
 14Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
 15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
 16And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
 17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
 18I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
 19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
 20These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
 21Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
 22Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
 23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
 24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
 25Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
 26I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
 27They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
 28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
 29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
 30As he spake these words, many believed on him.
 31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
 33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
 34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
 35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
 36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
 37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
 38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
 39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
 40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
 41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
 42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
 43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
 44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
 45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
 46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
 47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
 48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
 49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
 50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
 51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
 52Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
 53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
 54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
 55Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
 56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
 57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Matthew 7:14-16 (King James Version)14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21YYN2E7xkY&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffw3AzObjDM&feature=related





Jesus Christ has been called Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Holy One, Lamb of God, Prince of Life, Lord God Almighty, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Root of David, Word of Life, Author and Finisher of Our Faith, Advocate, The Way, Dayspring, Lord of All, I Am, Son of God, Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, Messiah, The Truth, Savior, Chief, Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, Horn of Salvation, Governor, The Alpha and Omega, Messiah, Mediator, Light of the World, Image of the Invisible God, The Word, Shiloh, Holy One, Chief Cornerstone, Savior, The Almighty, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Immanuel, Dayspring, The Amen, King of the Jews, The Way, The Truth, & The Life

Jesus is Yahweh as shown here: God in Old Testament (Jer 32:18, Isa 43:10, Isa 45:22, Isa 9:6) shown to be Jesus in New Testament (John 1:1, 14, John 20:28, Phil 2:10, 2 Peter 1:1, Titus 2:13, Heb 1:8, 1 John 5:20). God is called "The First & Last" in the Old Testament (Isa 44:6, Isa 48:12, Isa 41:4) & that title is applied to Jesus in the New Testament (Rev 1:17, Rev 2:8, Rev 22:13). God in the Old Testament is called "Creator" (Job 33:4, Isa 40:28, Gen 1:1) & that title is applied to Jesus in the New Testament (John 1:3, Col 1:15-17, Heb 1:10).










As a total believer in Christ, and in the message of Christ, I consider personal integrity and the truth is very important.

I also consider that living in the delusion free world of reality is of extreme importance. Some of the teachings of Buddhism are especially helpful in this regard. They contain much human wisdom for self improvement. They allow a person to become aware of the principles of cause and effect in this world. Cause and effect operates all the time.

Jesus Christ however is the way, the truth and the life, the mediator between God and man. Salvation is through Christ alone.

There is also much human wisdom in some quotes. Quotes have a way of relating profound truths.

For instance lying / falsehood is against the Ten Commandments and the specific teaching of Christ. It is also against the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the Five Precepts, and the Six Paramitas of Buddhism.





From Buddhism as an example, take the second of the six Paramitas

2) The Perfection of Ethics (Sila Paramita)

This paramita is the enlightened quality of virtuous and ethical behavior, morality, self-discipline, impeccability, personal integrity, honor, and harmlessness. The essence of this paramita is that through our love and compassion we do not harm others; we are virtuous and harmless in our thoughts, speech, and actions. This practice of ethical conduct is the very foundation for progressing in any practice of meditation and for attaining all higher realizations on the path. Our practice of generosity must always be supported by our practice of ethics; this ensures the lasting results of our generosity. We should perfect our conduct by eliminating harmful behavior and following the Bodhisattva precepts. We abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, gossip, greed, malice, and wrong views. Following these precepts or guidelines is not meant to be a burden or a restriction of our freedom. We follow these precepts so we can enjoy greater freedom, happiness, and security in our lives, because through our virtuous behavior we are no longer creating suffering for ourselves and others. We must realize that unethical behavior is always the cause of suffering and unhappiness. If we give even the slightest consideration to the advantages of cultivating ethical behavior and the disadvantages of unethical behavior, we will certainly develop great enthusiasm for this practice of ethics. Practicing the perfection of ethics, we are free of negativity, we cause no harm to others by our actions, our speech is kind and compassionate, and our thoughts are free of anger, malice, and wrong views. When our commitment is strong in the practice of ethics we are at ease, naturally confident, without stress, and happy because we are not carrying any underlying sense of guilt or remorse for our actions; we have nothing to hide. Maintaining our personal honor and integrity, our moral impeccability, this is the cause of all goodness, happiness, and even the attainment of enlightenment.






Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 4:16 -21 16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
 17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
 20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
 21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

John 10:14 (New International Version)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

John 6:63 King James Version It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Apostle Paul, Galatians, Chp 1 v 11-12
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

John 5: 22-24 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psalm 32 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.


1 corinthians 2:14 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
John 4
23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
 25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
 26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.