“So Ressa, what are you? I know you’re Christian, but what kind? So you’re not Catholic anymore?”
I’ve been asked the above questions several times. Both by family and friends. Sometimes, even strangers. “What is your religion?” I respond, “You mean my faith? Well, I’m Christian. I’m a believer and follower of Christ.” Then I’m asked the following question, “I know, but what kind? Aren’t there many kinds? Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, etc.?” I give the answer, “Do I really need to give a denomination? A church? Basta, I’m Christian, by faith, choice, and action.” I also recall being asked by some family members, “So you’re not Catholic anymore? I heard you changed churches.” I try my best to explain that it’s not about the church but how God saw me, revealed himself to me, and how I came to understand fully on a personal level what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross, and that I chose to follow Him the rest of my life. I am happy that most of my family and friends have come to understand my relationship with the Lord and the importance of being in a church where I will grow in my relationship with God.
If you’re reading this with raised eyebrows or end up shaking your head in amusement and got all the more confused, well this is what the Word says about it. I chanced upon this article during my break time and it may clarify some questions regarding this matter. A very good article by Pastor Dennis Sy. http://www.dennissy.com/im-not-sure-if-i-am-hearing-from-god/
I pray that you may be blessed by this note and have a more personal relationship with our Father. Again, it’s not about religion. It’s all about you and Him. -ressa
Question addressed to Pastor Dennis Sy: “What is the difference in Born again’s belief from Catholic?
My justification po dun kasi in a simple way, we end our prayer through Jesus while they believe in Mary.”
Pastor Dennis Sy’s response according to what the Bible says:
This has been questioned a lot of times especially among Filipinos because of our misconception of the word BORN AGAIN. The word Born Again was used in John 3:3.
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”
The question was asked by a religious leader Nicodemus. At first he didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to say. Jesus then explained it:
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]
And that is where the famous verse of John 3:16-18 was mentioned.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
So how does this apply to us today:
What Jesus was saying is that being born again is a state of a person’s faith in God. Everybody needs to be born again. Catholics need to be born again. Protestants need to be born again. Pastors need to be born again. Priests need to be born again. The Pope needs to be born again. So does the Protestant bishop. No one is exempted. All have sinned and Jesus died for all thus all need Christ.
So for us to say the difference between a Catholic and a born again is the way we end our prayers might not be the right answer. The most pressing question for every person is ARE YOU BORN AGAIN IN THE SPIRIT?
