Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
You become born again when you initially truly believe and the Spirit comes in and makes you alive in Christ. I'm not going to quote the verses because you know what they are.
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I'm not sure of which verses you are referring to but I know that Jesus says in John 14 that he will send the Holy Spirit to us after we love him and keep his commandments ( such as forgiving and loving your enemies, etc.).
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
Jesus repeats this again in verse 23 and says he and the Father will make his home in our hearts once we love and obey him, presumably via the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
What level of love and obedience is required exactly? He did tell us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and that this was the greatest commandment.
By loving God we also love those who are made in his image.
Jesus said he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Paul says the law is fulfilled by loving our neighbors, perhaps with the love that comes from Christ living in us.
Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
So this is my understanding of when you become born again, when you surrender your heart to Jesus and in doing so love him with all your heart.