Born Again

Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God. - 1 John 3:9

Many years ago, Cindy and I received our African names from the chief of a dear friend's village. I became "Yakuba" and Cindy became "Salimata." I remember that at the time, Cindy was excited because in another local language her American name means "be quiet," which always got a chuckle when I introduced her in church.

When we lived in West Africa, we always did our best to blend into the culture. We used our names, wore the clothes, observed the customs, but you know, we were not African! Yeah, quite shocking, huh? We have been and always will be white, Anglo-Saxon, Americans. This fact could not and will not be changed.

In the same way, our spiritual birthright cannot be overturned. By grace through faith, we are Christ-followers, which means we carry the seed of the Father within our hearts. We have been born again and this process is irreversible. Nothing, no one, can change it. No matter where we live or travel, thankfully this heritage can never be altered, and what a blessing! Because as much as believers need to immerse themselves in the culture where they live and serve, they must also be used to transform it and belonging to Christ is vital to the people they encounter along the way.

When you're born again, your DNA changes. - Bill McCartney