About The Newness Promised in The Bible (Ezekiel 36:26-27) – Born Again (John 3:3).

Brief Summary

You cannot lose with the good news.

If one finds himself/herself desiring to live differently (as per G-d’s commandments), and as they learn day by day find that they are actually doing these new things; this is an indicator of them becoming new (‘born again’).

Being ‘born again’ (‘new’) refers to how G-d causes a person who believes in Christ (Messiah) to desire and inturn walk in His good ways – His commandments (ref. Ezekiel 36:26-27).

The change is Sovereign and organic in nature (ref. Philippians 2:13, Ezekiel 36:26-27).

The Old Testament (tanakh) spoke first of this newness which was due to be had by believing in what is explained further upon in the New Testament; by believing in the risen Messiah (Christ) who was given [as high priest in the order of Melchizadek (Psalm 110:4, 45:7)] for the enacting of the new covenant at his resurrection (Isaiah 42:6, 49:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ ‘…intercedes…’ for sinners (ref. Isaiah 53:12, 1 Timothy 2:5);

‘…if any man [believes in and is therefore born again] in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’
(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV ^{[amended contextually]})

This change in a person’s life here comes from G-d as they study, learn, and genuinley do His commandments and statutes. The change is Sovereign and organic in nature.

This article simply aims to list some of the blessings which are found in the New Covenant – one of the major blessings being ‘newness’ (aka. ‘born again’) and such ultimately means everlasting life without end at resurrection.

Introduction

Here are some verses which speak of the New Covenant and or blessings found in it;

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Ezekiel 36:26‭-‬27 ESV

‘…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)

‘…times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;’
(Acts 3:19 NASB2020)

‘…cleansing their hearts by faith.’
(Acts 15:9 NASB2020)

What Is This Newness?

These verses speak of a [figurative] new heart and G-d’s Holy Spirit, as causing a person to observe His commmandments. These two items will now be explained;

About The New Heart

The new heart, means that a person will no longer desire the sinful things they used to indulge/dabble in – but rather have a heart for, and be open to, G-d’s commandments.

A person will then be inclined to seek, learn, and then observe the Law of Moses – and this is what the Holy Spirit does – causing/enabling one to observe the commandments (invisibly, and organic to an outward eye), and forsake any former unholy ways.

About The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit within, means that in addition to having a soft new heart and being open to the commandments – this newness (being born again) means that person will cease being a slave to sin;

Negative sinful deeds, which may have been habitual and/or second nature – no longer overcome, defeat, or even seem pallitable to a believer in Christ with regard to wilful sin;

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:13 ESV

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24 ESV

‘…we who died to sin…’
(Romans 6:2 ESV).

An example of this would be a former shoplifter or adulterer, who now no longer wants to do shoplifting/adultery at any time – as opposed to just having a short break from the sinful deed, and then returning to it wilfully and habitually (2 Peter 2:20, Hebrews 10:26).

The very thought of shoplifting/adultery is offensive and an impossibility now that they believe in Messiah (Christ) and have repented.

This person may have read up on the commandment ‘do not steal’/’do not commit adultery’ – and ever since, this good instruction has resonated with them, along with the rest.

This is a process, and a person must learn the law of Moses, before they can observe it to their fullest potential here – hence;

‘…to be conformed to the image of his Son…’
(Romans 8:29 ESV)

A believer might slip along the way (G-d forbid) – however – not wilfully (1 John 2:1, Hebrews 10:26).

There is the matter of the ‘overwhelming scourge’ in a believer’s life which Isaiah 28:18-19 ESV speaks on – however, one will find that this spiritual phenomenon means that the believer has not sinned (Romans 7:17), they are not at fault ^{(more here: https://orthodoxmessianicjudaism.com/2021/12/26/g-d-no-longer-allows-outward-miracles-or-signs-by-his-holy-spirit-but-does-allow-believers-to-become-born-again-here/#ff )].}

As we are on the topic of change and the Holy Spirit within a believer, and how this enables/causes one to observe the Law of Moses and therefore undertake good deeds;

A believer in turn credits these good deeds to G-d, as without Him, we would likley not have even lifted a finger or come to the knowledge of the truth – despite any trials we may have gone through and time spent in getting to a certain level;

for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13 NASB2020

‘…What do you have that you did not receive?…’
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NASB2020)

‘…perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,’
(2 Timothy 2:25 NASB2020)

How Does This Newness Look?

Despite this born again newness being life changing – especially with one’s daily conduct from the outside, this change in a person’s lifestyle typically looks organic as a person turns to G-d, when viewed from another person’s point of view.

There are no visible fireworks today, meaning signs and wonders in the form of outward miracles are not available today lawfully by G-d’s Holy Spirit.

In addition to this, the actual context of the gospel (good news) is also harder to see/find, given the increased corruption on this earth;

‘“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light…’
(Matthew 24:29 ESV)

How Is This Classified As Spiritual Newess, And Not Just A Person Having A Simple ‘Change Of Heart’?

This newness does not mean a person will become a robot, and begin to see visions and arrows pointing the way in which they should go (in fact today all visions should be deemed satanic for the most part (2 Thessalonians 2:11)).

Nor is this faithfully righteous newness part of a limited man-made self-help seminar.

There is enduring positive change in a person’s life, and this change is in line with what Holy Scripture defines as good (Rom 7:12)

A person is encouraged ‘seek’ this newness and also grace – ‘knocking’ [at the ‘door’ for it in prayer], without ceasing (Luke 11:8, 11:10, Matthew 5:6).

Once a person has been born again – and that believer has ceased being a slave to sin; this all grows stronger as they walk, and continue to weigh their approach faithfully etc.

This means negative sinful deeds, which may have been habitual and/or second nature – no longer overcome, defeat, or even seem pallitable to a believer in Christ;

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

The Law of Moses (Torah) is spiritual. Believe it or not, the Law of Moses (which includes the famous Ten Commmandments) is a spiritual law according to Holy Scripture;

‘For we know that the law is spiritual…’
(Romans 7:14 ESV).

If a person believes believes in Christ and is upholding the law of Moses (Romans 3:28, 3:31 ESV) – both in public and private; this is a very strong indicator that they are born again and spiritual (John 3:3);

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:7‭-‬8 ESV

This believer being spiritual is known as being ‘born again’ / ‘born from above’ (John 3:3), and this also represents the newness that is being discussed here, especially from Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Such a person is also demonstrating positive qualities and traits which are referred to as the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ – as a derivative of their believing;

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 ESV

What Is The Purpose Of This Newness?

This ‘born again’ ‘newness’ is essential to, and a part of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:8).

The reason for this is that the entire concept of the new covenant is for a person to have a heart for G-d’s commandments – instead of an appetite for, and slavery to sin (ref. Jeremiah 31:32-33, Hebrews 8:9-10).

The new covenant is shared and obtained by way of the gospel, which is everlasting (Revelation 14:6).

The purpose of being born again (new) is;

• Freedom from slavery to sin
• Aquiring of positive values, qualities, and traits,

In an effort to

• Be heaven ready, and live forever without end, upon resurrection, in the new heaven and new earth, which are above;

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:13 NIV.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace,
2 Peter 3:14 NASB2020

Hoping it is fruitful with you.

May the Holy G-d bless you beyond maximum, believing in His risen Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Adonai Yehoshua HaMoshiach). Amen.

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