Christianity is Something that Happens to You

George W Bush's Grandmother Was Born Christian?

In George W. Bush's book Decision Points, he talks about a time his grandmother's salvation was the center of a family discussion. It was in 1985, Billy Graham was there, as were more than two dozen family members. George H. W. Bush said to Graham, “Some people say you have to have a born-again experience to go to heaven. [Dorothy] is the most religious, kind person I know, yet she has had no born-again experience. Will she go to heaven?” Bush says Graham responded, “Some of us require a born-again experience to understand God, and some of us are born Christians. It sounds as if your mom was just born a Christian.” The response is telling, although Billy Graham's spokesperson stated the discussion doesn't sound authentic. Whether he meant that Dorothy was born a Christian or became one at a young age in unknown. Despite what was said that day, the Bible brings a clear word to the issue.

Regeneration Opens Closed Hearts

The essence of Christianity is the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is something that happened in history. It is what people need to appropriate God's forgiveness to themselves, and this is done through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, which is something that happens to you. It is God's work. One bible dictionary defines it as follows, "[Regeneration is the] inner cleansing and renewal of the human nature by the Holy Spirit. Mankind’s spiritual condition is transformed from a disposition of sin to one of a new relationship with God (Ti 3:5). Regeneration involves both moral restoration and the reception of new life...the process of regeneration is not brought about by human righteousness but by the gracious act of God (Eph 2:8, 9).** Another definition reads, "The transformation of a person’s spiritual condition from death to life through the work of the Holy Spirit." This work is perfectly illustrated in Acts 16:14, "A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening [to Paul explaining the word]; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (NASB)." Lydia's heart was opened to her need for the gospel but why did it need to be opened? Her heart needed to be opened because it was closed. She, like every human, was in bondage to sin and unfit for eternal life. She needed to be delivered from the powerful grip of sin. The power our depraved nature has over us before our conversion is full and total. Romans 8:7-8 tell us, "the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God." There is an inability that can only be overcome by the work of the Spirit. Like Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...unless someone is born of water and the Spirit He cannot enter the kingdom of God” (NASB).

Were You Born Christian?

Last year I was talking with a man about his relationship with God. He said he was Christian. He affirmed his belief in Jesus but went on to say that he did not think people needed to talk with others about their faith. "It's a belief you have in you. You don't have to spread it," he went on to say. I told him it was necessary to tell people about the gospel so that people would be saved and avoid eternal punishment. After discussing the matter for a minute he asked me a question, "Were you born Christian?" I stopped for a moment, thought about how I would respond and replied, "Oh no. No, no. No one is born a Christian. Christianity is something that happens to you." No one is born a Christian. Someone becomes a Christian when they are born again. There are some Christians who were raised in the Lord in their earliest years that they don't recall a time when they didn't believe in Jesus. This should not be discounted. Perhaps, their salvation was so early that they do not have specific recollection of it. Think of John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb. However, their lives are marked by the fruits of the Spirit which is the true evidence of saving faith. As in Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." The point is not looking to an experience as the Bush's may have been, the point is to see the evidence of regeneration as obedience to Jesus' commands.

For those with new hearts, let us thank God for His regenerating work in us. "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions do not fail" (Lamentations 3:22).

For those in need of a new heart, our God is full of mercy and calls out to us to seek Him for what we can't do for ourselves. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Dear God,

We ask that you give us new hearts! Renew our minds. Overcome our sinful nature and set us free by Your Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen.

* https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/did-billy-graham-say-people-born-christian/

**Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988: n. pag. Print.