How do I know if I'm born again?

[ALLFORHIM]

I used to think a bit like you but By being submissive (well a little submissive?) and by letting my husband fulfill his role as head of the house, our marraige grew stronger. I have also realised that I was fighting with him out of pride. I really did know that the Catholic church was ‘as right as any other’ but it was pride and an insistence that my salvation was true (it was true but just not full) that caused me to stand against my husband. The pastor of my ‘protestant’ church was the one who suggested that my marraige would be stronger if I went to my husbands church. He was soo right and the added bonus is that my faith is fuller now. I am getting more of God! I hope that made some sense.

Hi,
Yes that makes sense. I guess I should say Im not fighting anything. My husband never talks about anything religious at all. He doesnt have a problem with me and the children being invovled in my church. He actually commends me for it. He has no interest in church so it isnt an issue of catholic vs. protestant church going, it is an issue of his salvation.

When God saves him and he says he wants to go to a CC then is when I will have to confront my issues about going to the CC.
Honestly, I hope that day never arrives and he wants to go to the church we are already members of.

We’ll see what God has in store for us.

I guess I should have been more clear I just hate typing sometimes

 

[Orionthehunter]

Well— it depends what you mean by catholic I would say NO because he has no interest in going back to church. He hated church growing up and still does.

If I were you guys I wouldnt want to call my hubby a catholic because he would give them a bad name

You could say he is catholic by name only:shrug:

He does not give us a bad name. The mystical Body of Christ (Church) is greater than all of our sins combined. There is nothing he can do or say that will put so much as smudge on the Church.

We are a Church for the lost. He is also eternally Catholic because of his baptism (and confirmation if it happened) because of the indelible mark of the Holy Spirit.

I know you to be a good person (to the extent one can learn of another via the internet). I know you have disagreements with the Church. I know you want your husband to join you in Heaven.

But maybe if you encouraged him to talk to a Priest, it might be the impetus that gets him to change have a conversion experience. Maybe deep in his subconscious he knows he needs the Sacraments. Without it, he feels it is all in vain so he lives in despair. Don’t discount what he learned as a Catholic about the salvic impact of the graces that come from the Sacraments. I remember a Priest who said that the Sacraments are for those weakest among us, not the strongest.

You acknowledge we are Christians. Maybe it is the will of the Holy Spirit for him to come home. Be an instrument in his conversion. While well-intentioned and sincere, you might be an impediment. Pray about it with an open heart. Your first vocation is to help him gain Salvation. Don’t restrict the Holy Spirit because of your personal understanding.

I’m leaving the office soon and I’ll say a prayer for your husband (And I’ll include a Hail Mary as it seems that he might need a little motherly guidance as well) God Bless you ALLFORHIM.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Which pretty much sums up the fatal flaw of Protestanism.

It is interesting that although you claim to want your husband “saved” you want him “saved” on your terms. It appears you would rather he go to hell than return to his Church.

I do not understand how you could possibly come to that conclusion

I want God to save my husband based on HIS terms. Beside that is the only way he will become saved is by God’s terms.
I am just the vessel in which God is using to preach the gospel to my hubby–allbeit without words.

 

[juliamajor]

I had mine as an adult who had been away from the Church for 5 years and not practicing any religion. After reading the Bible, I repented of my sin first to God directly and then to my priest in confession. Since then, I have been active in my church (Bible study, meals for the poor, and I even joined the evangelization committee).

I was always a church goer but I was a hypocrite-When I finally realized that I was a sinner but beloved Of God that is when things started to change- Not my will but yours was my mantra.God led me gently through the sacrament of reconciliation to his light and baptism of the Holy Spirit was just the icing on the cake. I think what disturbs me about “born Againers” is it is very much “cheap grace”- grace isn’t cheap and neither is salvation- it costs. just say the magic “sinner’s Prayer” and bango- you’re saved. It’s a process- you have to run the race and keep on course. I think what disturbs me about Ex catholics in protestant land is that they are taught to hate the church- that is very disturbing to me- All converts I know are happy being “home” and do not hate their former church(exceptions maybe JWS &LDS but that’s only speculation)Hatred is unbecoming to a christian

 

[ALLFORHIM]

He does not give us a bad name. The mystical Body of Christ (Church) is greater than all of our sins combined. There is nothing he can do or say that will put so much as smudge on the Church.

We are a Church for the lost. He is also eternally Catholic because of his baptism (and confirmation if it happened) because of the indelible mark of the Holy Spirit.

I know you to be a good person (to the extent one can learn of another via the internet). I know you have disagreements with the Church. I know you want your husband to join you in Heaven.

But maybe if you encouraged him to talk to a Priest, it might be the impetus that gets him to change have a conversion experience. Maybe deep in his subconscious he knows he needs the Sacraments. Without it, he feels it is all in vain so he lives in despair. Don’t discount what he learned as a Catholic about the salvic impact of the graces that come from the Sacraments. I remember a Priest who said that the Sacraments are for those weakest among us, not the strongest.

You acknowledge we are Christians. Maybe it is the will of the Holy Spirit for him to come home. Be an instrument in his conversion. While well-intentioned and sincere, you might be an impediment. Pray about it with an open heart. Your first vocation is to help him gain Salvation. Don’t restrict the Holy Spirit because of your personal understanding.

I’m leaving the office soon and I’ll say a prayer for your husband (And I’ll include a Hail Mary as it seems that he might need a little motherly guidance as well) God Bless you ALLFORHIM.

Thank you and I will pray about it:thumbsup:

 

[TOP]

Well— it depends what you mean by catholic I would say NO because he has no interest in going back to church. He hated church growing up and still does.

If I were you guys I wouldnt want to call my hubby a catholic because he would give them a bad name

You could say he is catholic by name only:shrug:

He has the sacraments as a saftey net. Confirmation is a serious vow to the Lord that he needs to recall if he hasn’t already. The Lord brought me back to the Church for the structure I need to stay on the path because I was so far off it. Pray for this illumination I was talking about. It reveals how God views yourself and you are struck with the fear of the Lord and His love at the same time. It will straighten ya out fast. Tim

 

[estesbob]

I do not understand how you could possibly come to that conclusion

I want God to save my husband based on HIS terms. Beside that is the only way he will become saved is by God’s terms.
I am just the vessel in which God is using to preach the gospel to my hubby–allbeit without words.

I am sorry I misunderstood you.My point is you seem to be praying he join your Church. I would leave the Church up to your husband. I would suggest your encourage him to talk to a Priest. It could very well be he wants to return to his Church but is afraid of offending you.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

TOP did. He said he commited the sin of presuming to know his spouses spirtiual state. You have claimed in no uncertain terms that your husband is not saved. Do you see the link now?

The reality is that I have not rejected Christ as my Savior. I may not agree with the CC but that does not mean I have rejected the Church. I am part of the church because I am a believer.

The reality is we have different definitions of who the church is.

 

[Sean_Boyle]

Are you born again?
If so how do you know?

Simple question, simple answer…

Yes, through baptism as an infant. I have continued to grow in that same faith as was taught by my parent and then continued learn for myself to the point were I’m able to teach my children in the same faith as taught by Christ from the time of their baptism to this day.

I have a certificate to prove it from St. Jude Parish and many photographs of the event.

How about you?

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I am sorry I misunderstood you.My point is you seem to be praying he join your Church. I would leave the Church up to your husband. I would suggest your encourage him to talk to a Priest. It could very well be he wants to return to his Church but is afraid of offending you.

Thanks. I know you mean well:thumbsup: Its just if you knew my hubby you would understand that me suggesting that would be like suggesting he go to NYC to the ballet with me.

My hubby is also very direct(almost to a fault)If he would want to go to the CC he wouldnt hesitate. I never talk bad about the CC with him so he wouldnt think twice about telling me he wanted to go. As far as he is concerned I dont care one way or the other. Of course I would speak up if necessary, but I dont feel the need to do that.

Im sorry I have to go. My daughter has a game. Thank you for all your (name removed by moderator)ut:thumbsup:

 

[estesbob]

Thanks. I know you mean well:thumbsup: Its just if you knew my hubby you would understand that me suggesting that would be like suggesting he go to NYC to the ballet with me.

My hubby is also very direct(almost to a fault)If he would want to go to the CC he wouldnt hesitate. I never talk bad about the CC with him so he wouldnt think twice about telling me he wanted to go. As far as he is concerned I dont care one way or the other. Of course I would speak up if necessary, but I dont feel the need to do that.

Im sorry I have to go. My daughter has a game. Thank you for all your (name removed by moderator)ut:thumbsup:

Well I promise to keep him to my prayers and will not complain if he ends up in the “wrong” church

 

[lak611]

Well I promise to keep him to my prayers and will not complain if he ends up in the “wrong” church

I will do likewise!

 

[ChrisWRIT]

I note that Paul wasn’t born again (EG - filled with the Holy Spirit) on the road to Damascus, but at the house of Judas. (Acts 9:17-19.)

“17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”

Anyway, I was born again (“of water and the Spirit”) when I was baptized in the Catholic Church as an infant. I turned from God and His Church for many years. While I had been “born again”, I was not “saved” (or in anything like a state of grace) for that time, as I had rejected the gift of God’s grace and salvation. I didn’t go to church; I didn’t act “christian”, and while something in me tended to try to “just be a good person” - I unconsciously viewed myself as the center of the universe.

After getting beaten down by the world for years, even after spending several years in Protestant “non-denonimational” churches, I revisited my doubts and questions about the Catholic Church, both those that had contributed to my abandoning it, and those that I had picked up from Protestant friends over the years. I finally returned to the Catholic Church after learning the true teachings of the Church, & after discovering why so many n-C arguments are flawed & illogical.

This question of “how can I know if I’m born again” sprouts from the “once saved, always saved” assumption, which DOES attempt to dictate the terms of God’s gift of salvation (I.E.-“You HAVE to guarantee that I’m going to heaven!”)

However, we don’t receive a “golden ticket to heaven” for having an emotional experience, or by getting baptized (at any time), or by answering an altar call, or by praying some prayer sincerely enough. (Why does that word remind me of “the great pumpkin”?)

Faith can be rejected, God can be disowned, & a believer can become WORSE than an unbeliever. (Can someone who is worse than an unbeliever expect to go to heaven?)

I thank God for his call that prompted me to turn back from the world and return home to the Catholic Church.

Chris

 

[misslollipops]

Well that’s interesting but it’s not an answer to the question asked.

Open your bible to matt 7:22-23

 

[misslollipops]

Do I have to acknowledge Im born again to go to heaven? What if I reject outright the whole idea that one must be born again. Am I condemned to hell?

That might fall under the category of Blasphemy of the Spirit.
Either way read Jn3:3 for the answer

 

[misslollipops]

See misslolliepops, when it first happened to me, my conscience was changed. At first I thought I had to change everyone else’s as well. Come to find out most practicing Catholic’s have had a healthly formation of conscience and I misjudged them because my change was so drastic and quick. Beware that because you have had this happen to you , you don’t get caught in the same snare. Tim

Matt 28:18-20 The great commision.
It is not a snare to be born again and desire others to experience the same joy.

 

[estesbob]

That might fall under the category of Blasphemy of the Spirit.
Either way read Jn3:3 for the answer

I have read John 3:3 It doesnt answer my questions. i thought you could help.

 

[misslollipops]

Hi,
There is a big black line in the middle of your question Can I assume you are asking me how do I know if you are born again?

I dont–I dont know you. I have never met you in person. I think you really have to get to know a person(in person)to even have an idea whether or not they are saved.

I know that I am born again.
Each reader should ask themselves the same question. See?

 

[misslollipops]

Don’t take this the wrong way, but who are you to offer me suggestions on my spiritual life? You don’t even know me. It is awfully presumptuous for you to assume that I need to “study” and “ask” about my relationship with Jesus just because I don’t share your theology.

I have read St. Paul’s letter to the Romans many times. I have read all of St. Paul’s letters many times. I am well aware of what it means to put off the old carnal man and become a new creation in Christ. But nowhere does Paul define “born again” in the way you claim. “Born again” means baptism, plain and simple.

If you think you were born again at your infant baptism, good luck!

 

[misslollipops]

Miss Lolipops

forgve me but im trying to learn. Unless i’m struck blind like saul and have my name changed i cannot consider myslf born again. do everybody have to go blind for several days. Where does jesus say this.

When you become born again there is a change.
If there is no change then you are probably not born again.
Think of acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came and everyone started speaking in tongues.
They became born again. That is what it means. The Holy Spirit comes upon you. You are never the same again. You are born of the Holy Spirit.
Not every experience is the same. As a matter of fact, probably no two are exactly the same.
Each testimony is different but they all give glory to God.