{"id":362224,"date":"2026-08-01T18:38:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T18:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/grown-again-christian-god-versus-religion\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T18:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T18:38:16","slug":"grown-again-christian-god-versus-religion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224","title":{"rendered":"Grown-again Christian – God versus religion"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Have you ever heard of a \u201cGrown-again Christian\u201d?\u00a0 Me neither.\u00a0 But that term came to me this morning.\u00a0 It should be one.\u00a0 I mean \u2013 too many Christians are \u201cborn-again\u201d, but then never mature \/ grow \/ grow up.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like this is a new concept.\u00a0 It\u2019s just one that I don\u2019t remember ever hearing.\u00a0 And from Googling it \u2013 it seems to be more about body parts and beards growing again.\u00a0 Weird.\u00a0 But we cannot \u2013 should not \u2013 ignore the concept.\u00a0 Because it\u2019s not new.<\/p>\n

\"grown-againBut for right now, friends, I\u2019m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You\u2019re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

That not me.\u00a0 That\u2019s Paul.\u00a0 From 1 Corinthians 3:1 \u2013 in The Message Translation.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong.\u00a0 Being born-again is essential, as Jesus tells us.\u00a0 As you read the passage below, keep in mind that Nicodemus was a Pharisee, visiting Jesus at great peril to himself.\u00a0 He went at night because the other Jewish leaders would have turned against him if they knew what he was doing.\u00a0 More on the significance of that in a little while.<\/p>\n

Born Again<\/h2>\n

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Jn 3:1<\/span> Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, \u201cRabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 3:3<\/span> In reply Jesus declared,<\/span> \u201cI tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 3:4<\/span> \u201cHow can a man be born when he is old?\u201d Nicodemus asked. \u201cSurely he cannot enter a second time into his mother\u2019s womb to be born!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 3:5<\/span> Jesus answered,<\/span> \u201cI tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6<\/span> Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7<\/span> You should not be surprised at my saying, \u2018You must be born again.\u2019 8<\/span> 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 3:9<\/span> \u201cHow can this be?\u201d Nicodemus asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 3:10<\/span> \u201cYou are Israel\u2019s teacher,\u201d<\/span> said Jesus,<\/span> \u201cand do you not understand these things? 11<\/span> I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12<\/span> I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13<\/span> No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven\u2014the Son of Man. 14<\/span> Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15<\/span> that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break down a couple things from that passage.<\/p>\n

no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again<\/span><\/h6>\n

Jn 3:3<\/span> In reply Jesus declared,<\/span> \u201cI tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 3:4<\/span> \u201cHow can a man be born when he is old?\u201d Nicodemus asked. \u201cSurely he cannot enter a second time into his mother\u2019s womb to be born!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus says we have to be born again to see the kingdom of God.\u00a0 Clearly, Nicodemus has no idea what Jesus is talking about.\u00a0 His reply about entering the womb again shows that Nicodemus is very much a \u201cworldly\u201d thinker.\u00a0 That in itself should be both shocking and scary.\u00a0 As a Pharisee, Nicodemus should be neither of those.\u00a0 The table below shows most significant factions of Jewish leadership around the time of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\nSadducees<\/td>\nPharisees<\/td>\nEssenes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who they were:<\/td>\n\n\n\n<\/tr>\n
Social Class<\/td>\nPriests, aristocrats\t<\/td>\nCommon people\t<\/td>\n[Unknown]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Authority\t<\/td>\nPriests<\/td>\n“Disciples of the Wise”<\/td>\n“Teacher of Righteousness”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Practices\t<\/td>\nEmphasis on priestly obligations\t<\/td>\nApplication of priestly laws to non-priests\t<\/td>\n“Inspired Exegesis”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Attitude Toward:<\/td>\n\n\n\n<\/tr>\n
Hellenism<\/td>\nFor<\/td>\nSelective<\/td>\nAgainst<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hasmoneans<\/td>\nOpposed usurpation of priesthood by non-Zadokites\t<\/td>\nOpposed usurpation of monarchy\t<\/td>\nPersonally opposed to Jonathan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free will<\/td>\nYes\t<\/td>\nMostly<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Afterlife<\/td>\nNone<\/td>\nResurrection<\/td>\nSpiritual Survival<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bible<\/td>\nLiteralist<\/td>\nSophisticated scholarly interpretations\t<\/td>\n“Inspired Exegesis”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oral Torah<\/td>\nNo such thing\t<\/td>\nEqual to Written Torah\t<\/td>\n“Inspired Exegesis”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Pharisees<\/h2>\n

While the entire table is of interest, we focus on the Pharisees for today.\u00a0 Some other time, I\u2019d like to get further into the whole thing \u2013 but not now.\u00a0 Anyway, although the Pharisees were \u201ccommon people\u201d, as opposed to priests or from the ranks of the elite or the privileged social classes, look at some of their characteristics.<\/p>\n

They were the \u201cDisciples of the Wise\u201d.\u00a0 Jewish scholars today have different views of what this means.\u00a0 Regardless, it\u2019s something specific to the Pharisees.\u00a0 It\u2019s not something to get into here, but if you\u2019d like to see a bit more, please click here<\/a>.\u00a0 (There\u2019s a corresponding link to bring you back when you\u2019re done reading.)\u00a0 The point of bringing it up here is to show that the Pharisees were not priests.\u00a0 Nor were they merely teachers.\u00a0 Their goal was to train other Jews to be like them \u2013 wise in the Jewish laws.<\/p>\n

Note that part of their discipling process was to have non-priests apply the Jewish laws to their own lives.\u00a0 In a way, this is somewhat similar to the Great Commission given by Jesus to His disciples \u2013 and also to every Christian.<\/p>\n

The Great Commission<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Mt 28:16<\/span> Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17<\/span> When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18<\/span> Then Jesus came to them and said,<\/span> \u201cAll authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19<\/span> Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20<\/span> and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s that one phrase in there that should really have struck at the hearts of the Pharisees, even more so than maybe the Sadducees and the teachers of the law.\u00a0 Go and make disciples<\/span>.\u00a0 That was an important part of what the Pharisees saw as their mission.\u00a0 In that light, they would be excited about what Jesus had to say.\u00a0 Unfortunately, they were very much against Jesus instead of being very much for Him.<\/p>\n

The resurrection<\/h6>\n

Also notice that the Pharisees believed in resurrection \u2013 in a life after death.\u00a0 Again, this should have been an exciting concept for them.\u00a0 But again, they were against Jesus.<\/p>\n

Remember this from the time when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.<\/p>\n

Jn 11:25<\/span> Jesus said to her,<\/span> \u201cI am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26<\/span> and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It seems that more than any of the other three groups of Jewish leaders, the Pharisees should have seen the connection between what we now call the Old Testament and the words of Jesus.\u00a0 Furthermore, given that the Pharisees were given to sophisticated scholarly interpretations of Scripture, it\u2019s all the more amazing that Nicodemus appeared to be so confused about being reborn.<\/p>\n

Not understanding<\/h2>\n

Moving along with the passage where Jesus is speaking with Nicodemus.\u00a0 The NIV has Jesus asking a question of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are Israel\u2019s teacher,\u201d<\/span> said Jesus,<\/span> \u201cand do you not understand these things?<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s from the NIV \u2013 both the 1984 and the 2011 versions.\u00a0 However, as often happens, the NIV waters down this exchange between the two of them.<\/p>\n

Young\u2019s Literal Translation has something much more blunt and to the point.<\/p>\n

Jesus answered and said to him,<\/span> \u2018Thou art the teacher of Israel\u2014and these things thou dost not know!\u2019<\/span>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not even a question.\u00a0 In fact, not even a mere statement.\u00a0 It is more like an accusation.<\/p>\n

In the English Standard Version, we read something in between the first two translations.<\/p>\n

Jesus answered him,<\/span> \u201cAre you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

The Message translation, which is one of the easiest to understand, gets the point across of just how bad things were going for Nicodemus.<\/p>\n

Jesus said,<\/span> \u201cYou\u2019re a respected teacher of Israel and you don\u2019t know these basics?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Truly, this is not a good thing.\u00a0 Nicodemus, one who is looked at as a Disciple of the Wise, is himself being discipled by Jesus.\u00a0 Someone who should have seen all those prophesies fulfilled in the One he is speaking with, doesn\u2019t understand even the basics.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not picking on Nicodemus here.\u00a0 In fact, it appears that he is the only one of the Jewish leaders who even recognized enough of something that he was willing to risk everything to speak with Jesus.\u00a0 And Nicodemus did learn something.\u00a0 We know this, because of what\u2019s recorded about him later in John\u2019s Gospel.<\/p>\n

The Burial of Jesus<\/span><\/h6>\n

Jn 19:38<\/span> Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate\u2019s permission, he came and took the body away. 39<\/span> He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40<\/span> Taking Jesus\u2019 body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41<\/span> At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42<\/span> Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people\u2019s focus on this passage is on the cost of the myrrh and aloes.\u00a0 A quick check on Google showed up costs, in today\u2019s prices, ranging from a few thousand dollars to a couple hundred thousand.\u00a0 A few thousand dollars seems on the low side, considering prices of higher quality items on Amazon.\u00a0 Hundreds of thousands seems way too high.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not the real point!<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 Both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus would have been rich men.\u00a0 Money wasn\u2019t something they would have been short of.\u00a0 But the risks involved in burying Jesus?\u00a0 Those were high indeed.\u00a0 We see that Joseph was afraid of the Jews, so he worked in secret to do this.\u00a0 For Nicodemus, this was a career-ender.\u00a0 If he wasn\u2019t already banned by the rest of the Pharisees, he certainly would be after this.<\/p>\n

Jesus spoke of things like this.<\/p>\n

The Cost of Being a Disciple<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Lk 14:25<\/span> Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:<\/span> 26<\/span> \u201cIf anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters\u2014yes, even his own life\u2014he cannot be my disciple. 27<\/span> And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 14:28<\/span> \u201cSuppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29<\/span> For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30<\/span> saying, \u2018This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 14:31<\/span> \u201cOr suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32<\/span> If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33<\/span> In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 14:34<\/span> \u201cSalt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35<\/span> It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. <\/span>
\u201cHe who has ears to hear, let him hear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We can be sure that both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus counted the cost.\u00a0 And decided it was worth it.<\/p>\n

The Narrow and Wide Gates<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Jesus said this about the road that leads to life.<\/p>\n

Mt 7:13<\/span> \u201cEnter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14<\/span> But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And Jesus wasn\u2019t talking about just life here on earth.\u00a0 In fact, His application to life on earth wasn\u2019t even what most would think of.\u00a0 Here\u2019s what was meant by the Greek word that we translate as life.<\/p>\n

2222 \u03b6\u03c9\u03ae [zoe \/dzo\u00b7ay\/] n f. From 2198; TDNT 2:832; TDNTA 290; GK 2437; 134 occurrences; AV translates as \u201clife\u201d 133 times, and \u201clifetime\u201d once. 1 life. 1A the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate. 1B every living soul. 2 life. 2A of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic \u201clogos\u201d and to Christ in whom the \u201clogos\u201d put on human nature. 2B life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

That sure lost a lot in the translation, didn\u2019t it?\u00a0 It\u2019s not just life after death, as even some (many?) Christians would think.\u00a0 It\u2019s both this life and the next.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the thing about this narrow road \/ narrow path and narrow gate.\u00a0 In the New Testament, what appears to be the worst case scenario for finding the narrow path is maybe 1 out of 10.\u00a0 That comes from this passage about 10 men who Jesus healed.<\/p>\n

Ten Healed of Leprosy<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Lk 17:11<\/span> Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12<\/span> As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13<\/span> and called out in a loud voice, \u201cJesus, Master, have pity on us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 17:14<\/span> When he saw them, he said,<\/span> \u201cGo, show yourselves to the priests.\u201d<\/span> And as they went, they were cleansed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 17:15<\/span> One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16<\/span> He threw himself at Jesus\u2019 feet and thanked him\u2014and he was a Samaritan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 17:17<\/span> Jesus asked,<\/span> \u201cWere not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18<\/span> Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?\u201d<\/span> 19<\/span> Then he said to him,<\/span> \u201cRise and go; your faith has made you well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, 1 out of 10.\u00a0 But even the 10 isn\u2019t the right number to use.\u00a0 We need to look at all the people who saw \/ heard \/ heard about Jesus \u2013 and then compare than to the number of people Jesus healed.\u00a0 But that\u2019s still not right.\u00a0 We then need to look at the number of people who were told something like the Samaritan was in this passage \u2013 your faith has made you well<\/span>.\u00a0 That phrase is important.\u00a0 It\u2019s the difference between being physically healed \u2013 and being saved \/ attaining \u201clife\u201d as Jesus used it.<\/p>\n

For a look at some estimates from the time of the Exodus, and equivalent numbers today, please see this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But what does all this mean?<\/h2>\n

It appears to mean that even for those who should have known, the chances of even being interested in Jesus are extremely slim.\u00a0 And if you checked out the article on Exodus, the chances of being interested in God for even His chosen people were incredibly slim.\u00a0 We\u2019re talking about 1 Pharisee who should have recognized the prophecies and showed enough interest \/ courage to speak with Jesus.\u00a0 Out of all the Jewish leaders who actually saw or heard about Him \u2013 that\u2019s not a lot.\u00a0 And out of all the people who were being delivered from the Egyptians, two people is depressingly small.<\/p>\n

So what chance do we have, who don\u2019t have God literally with us as they did during the Exodus \u2013 or have Jesus preaching in their neighborhood as Nicodemus did?<\/p>\n

Being\u00a0 born-again in the Old Testament<\/h2>\n

We saw with Nicodemus that Jesus talked about being born again.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like that was a new concept \u2013 even though Christians seem to claim it for ourselves as if it was.<\/p>\n

And yet, is it not similar, in essence, from Abram having his name changed to Abraham?<\/p>\n

Ge 17:1<\/span> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, \u201cI am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2<\/span> I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

OK \u2013 God is confirming a covenant \u2013 something He had promised Abram earlier.\u00a0 It\u2019s being reaffirmed.\u00a0 However, something has to happen first.\u00a0 Abraham is, essentially, about to be born again.<\/p>\n

Ge 17:3<\/span> Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4<\/span> \u201cAs for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5<\/span> No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6<\/span> I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7<\/span> I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8<\/span> The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Changing Abram\u2019s name to Abraham wasn\u2019t some arbitrary act.\u00a0 God had a reason for it, as He has a reason for everything He does.\u00a0 Or doesn\u2019t do.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how the Hebrew people, Abraham\u2019s descendants, viewed names.<\/p>\n

In the Hebrew language, the term for \u201cname\u201d most probably meant \u201csign\u201d or \u201cdistinctive mark.\u201d In the Greek language, \u201cname\u201d (onoma) is derived from a verb which means \u201cto know\u201d; a name then indicates that by which a person or object is to be known. But the idea of name is not to be taken in the sense of a label or an arbitrary means of identifying or specifying a person, place, or object. \u201cName\u201d in biblical usage correctly describes the person, place, or object and indicates the essential character of that to which the name is given. Adam names the animals according to their nature (Gn 2:19, 20); \u201cNoah\u201d means \u201cone who brings relief and comfort\u201d (5:29); \u201cJesus\u201d means \u201csavior\u201d (Mt 1:21). When a person was given a new position or a radical change took place in his life a new name was given to indicate that new aspect, for example, Abraham (\u201cfather of many,\u201d Gn 17:5); and Israel (\u201cone who strives with God\u201d or \u201cGod strives,\u201d 32:28). The name of a person or people expressed what the person or people thought the proper description or statement of character was.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

So the name is a description of the person.\u00a0 Given that God is changing Abram\u2019s name, this means a significant change is the person is about to take place.\u00a0 Let\u2019s look at both Abram and Abraham, to see what they represented.<\/p>\n

Abram<\/h6>\n

Very little is available on the meaning of Abram.<\/p>\n

The etymology of the name Abram (Heb. \u2019\u0101\u1e07r\u0101m used Gn. 11:26\u201317:4 and rarely elsewhere, cf. 1 Ch. 1:27; Ne. 9:7) is uncertain. It probably means \u2018the father is exalted\u2019 and is a typical specific early W Semitic personal name form of Ab (i)ram. After the covenant of Gn. 17:5 his name is changed to Abraham (\u2019a\u1e07r\u0101h\u0101m) and explained as \u2018father of a multitude\u2019 of nations. Both these name forms occur in cuneiform and Egyptian texts from the 19th century BC onwards, but not as identical persons. The latter form, possibly as popular etymology, is generally considered a dialectical variant of Abram, though a distinct new name is implied (which may incorporate an early form of Arabic rhm = \u2018multitude\u2019).<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Outside of Genesis, there are only two references to the name Abram.\u00a0 The one in Nehemiah seems the most significant.\u00a0 It takes place when the Israelites who were exiled by Nebuchadnezzar returned to Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

The Israelites Confess Their Sins<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Ne 9:1<\/span> On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. 2<\/span> Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. 3<\/span> They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. 4<\/span> Standing on the stairs were the Levites\u2014Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani\u2014who called with loud voices to the LORD their God. 5<\/span> And the Levites\u2014Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah\u2014said: \u201cStand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBlessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. 6<\/span> You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ne 9:7<\/span> \u201cYou are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham. 8<\/span> You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous.<\/span><\/p>\n

After this, it goes on to tell of what happened in Egypt with the Exodus, how their forefathers had continued to disobey God, in spite of repeated warnings.\u00a0 It talks of the exile.\u00a0 And finally, it has the people pledging, again, to do God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s really significant in this is \u2013\u00a0You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham<\/span>.\u00a0 Abram was to be the father of God\u2019s chosen people.\u00a0 And yet, for years, he maintains the name meaning exalted father \u2013 all the while being childless.\u00a0 It must have seem rather cruel to have that name for so long \u2013 and not live up to it.\u00a0 So we have a name, given by a pagan father,\u00a0 that God will change at the appropriate time.<\/p>\n

Abraham<\/h6>\n

Abraham. One of the Bible\u2019s most significant personalities, the \u201cwandering Aramean\u201d (Dt 26:5) whom God called from the city of Ur to become patriarch of God\u2019s own people. Referred to as the \u201cfriend of God\u201d (2 Chr 20:7; Jas 2:23), Abraham played an important role in Hebrew history and in the \u201cdrama of salvation.\u201d Through Abraham\u2019s life, God revealed a program of \u201celection\u201d and \u201ccovenant\u201d which culminated in the work of the Messiah Jesus Christ. God said to Abraham, \u201cin you all the families of earth shall be blessed\u201d (Gn 12:3; another rendering of the last two words of this quote is \u201cbless themselves\u201d). Centuries later, the apostle Paul explained that the full import of God\u2019s promise was seen in the preaching of the gospel to all nations and the response of faith in Christ, which signifies believers from all families of the earth as sons of Abraham (Gal 3:6\u20139).<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Now, with his new name, Abraham does in fact become a father.\u00a0 From the Hebrew point of view \u2013 the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.\u00a0 From the Christian point of view, we see something more.<\/p>\n

Faith or Observance of the Law<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Gal 3:1<\/span> You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2<\/span> I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3<\/span> Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4<\/span> Have you suffered so much for nothing\u2014if it really was for nothing? 5<\/span> Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?<\/span><\/p>\n

Gal 3:6<\/span> Consider Abraham: \u201cHe believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.\u201d 7<\/span> Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8<\/span> The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: \u201cAll nations will be blessed through you.\u201d 9<\/span> So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gal 3:10<\/span> All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: \u201cCursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.\u201d 11<\/span> Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, \u201cThe righteous will live by faith.\u201d 12<\/span> The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, \u201cThe man who does these things will live by them.\u201d 13<\/span> Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: \u201cCursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.\u201d 14<\/span> He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul has taken Abraham to being the father of anyone who believes \/ has faith in Jesus is a child of Abraham.<\/p>\n

Faith, but faith in what?<\/h2>\n

Notice that in the previous passage, Paul used words like foolish and understanding.\u00a0 He also asked if the people had received the Holy Spirit by believing what they heard.\u00a0 And then Paul talks about faith.\u00a0 He\u2019s talking about faith in Jesus.\u00a0 But if we\u2019re going to have faith in Jesus, should we not know the truth about Him?<\/p>\n

Paul also write this, in his first letter to Titus.<\/p>\n

Warning Against False Teachers of the Law<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

1Ti 1:3<\/span> As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4<\/span> nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God\u2019s work\u2014which is by faith. 5<\/span> The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6<\/span> Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7<\/span> They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.<\/span><\/p>\n

1Ti 1:8<\/span> We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9<\/span> We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10<\/span> for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers\u2014and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11<\/span> that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not possible to tell the difference between false teachers \u2013 and those who teach the right things \u2013 unless we know something of the truth.\u00a0 The \u201cchurch\u201d word for that is to be discerning.\u00a0 If we know nothing of a topic \u2013 we cannot be discerning about that topic.\u00a0 If we know nothing of the Bible, how can we hope to be discerning about Jesus?\u00a0 If we had first been exposed to the Qur\u2019an, we would believe, initially at least, that Jesus was a fraud \u2013 or that the Bible was wrong?<\/p>\n

Jesus spoke of Abraham, knowing the truth, and teaching in this passage from John.<\/p>\n

The Children of Abraham<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Jn 8:31<\/span> To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,<\/span> \u201cIf you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 8:33<\/span> They answered him, \u201cWe are Abraham\u2019s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 8:34<\/span> Jesus replied,<\/span> \u201cI tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35<\/span> Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36<\/span> So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37<\/span> I know you are Abraham\u2019s descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38<\/span> I am telling you what I have seen in the Father\u2019s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 8:39<\/span> \u201cAbraham is our father,\u201d they answered.<\/span>
\u201cIf you were Abraham\u2019s children,\u201d<\/span> said Jesus,<\/span> \u201cthen you would do the things Abraham did. 40<\/span> As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41<\/span> You are doing the things your own father does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not illegitimate children,\u201d they protested. \u201cThe only Father we have is God himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though these people were Jewish, descendants of Abraham in the biological sense, they did not understand what their own scripture said.\u00a0 And so, Jesus is telling them that in the full sense of the word, they are not \u201cdescendants\u201d of Abraham.\u00a0 Because they do not know the truth, and therefore are not free.<\/p>\n

Grown-again Christian<\/h2>\n

Enter the concept of the grown-again Christian.\u00a0 As I said, being born-again is essential.\u00a0 It\u2019s a requirement.\u00a0 But honestly, being born-again is the beginning of a journey \u2013 it\u2019s not the destination.<\/p>\n

Well, actually, it can be the destination.\u00a0 For instance, consider this passage:<\/p>\n

1Co 3:10<\/span> By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11<\/span> For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12<\/span> If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13<\/span> his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man\u2019s work. 14<\/span> If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15<\/span> If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.<\/span><\/p>\n

This makes sense, given something Jesus said in response to a question:<\/p>\n

Jesus the Bread of Life<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Jn 6:25<\/span> When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, \u201cRabbi, when did you get here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 6:26<\/span> Jesus answered,<\/span> \u201cI tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27<\/span> Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 6:28<\/span> Then they asked him, \u201cWhat must we do to do the works God requires?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 6:29<\/span> Jesus answered,<\/span> \u201cThe work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So Jesus is saying the only thing we have to do is to believe in Him.\u00a0 No amount of \u201cgood works\u201d, sacrifices, or other deeds is required in order to be saved.\u00a0 However, we also have to consider something James said:<\/p>\n

Faith and Deeds<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Jas 2:14<\/span> What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15<\/span> Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16<\/span> If one of you says to him, \u201cGo, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,\u201d but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17<\/span> In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jas 2:18<\/span> But someone will say, \u201cYou have faith; I have deeds.\u201d <\/span>
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19<\/span> You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that\u2014and shudder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jas 2:20<\/span> You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? 21<\/span> Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22<\/span> You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23<\/span> And the scripture was fulfilled that says, \u201cAbraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,\u201d and he was called God\u2019s friend. 24<\/span> You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jas 2:25<\/span> In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26<\/span> As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s going on here?\u00a0 If believing in Jesus is the only requirement, then what\u2019s this about deeds and doing things?<\/p>\n

There are a couple things that come to mind right away.\u00a0 Both involve growth.\u00a0 Growth from before we became believers.\u00a0 And also growth after we become believers.<\/p>\n

For instance \u2013<\/p>\n

No Confidence in the Flesh<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Phil 3:1<\/span> Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phil 3:2<\/span> Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3<\/span> For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh\u2014 4<\/span> though I myself have reasons for such confidence. <\/span>
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5<\/span> circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6<\/span> as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phil 3:7<\/span> But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8<\/span> What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9<\/span> and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ\u2014the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10<\/span> I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11<\/span> and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul wrote about the things he did when he was a Pharisee.\u00a0 After becoming a believer \u2013 after what we would today call becoming a Christian, Paul considered everything he had dome before as \u201closs\u201d.\u00a0 The Greek word we read as loss in the NIV is more properly, although not so politely, as excrement.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the ultimate Pharisee \u2013 and he now considers even the best of what he\u2019d done as a Pharisee as being less than worthless.<\/p>\n

For us \u2013 it doesn\u2019t matter whether we used to be an atheist, a \u201cnone\u201d, a Buddhist, or a whatever.\u00a0 This is a huge element of growth that can only come after becoming a believer.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not like it happens all at once that we understand the deepness of what Paul said \u2013 or that we see it in our own lives from past to present.<\/p>\n

Perseverance<\/h6>\n

It\u2019s not like it happens when we want it to either.\u00a0 I started this piece more than a month ago.\u00a0 I had to put it aside.\u00a0 There was something missing.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know what it was \u2013 but I knew there was more that needed to be included.<\/p>\n

File this under \u201cwhat to do in the mean time\u201d.\u00a0 That\u2019s the name of a sermon series we just finished in church.\u00a0 It was based on Andy Stanley\u2019s sermon series of the same name.\u00a0 This was one of my \u201cin the mean time\u201d moments.\u00a0 Waiting to find out what was missing.\u00a0 I could have gone on with what I had, even knowing was it incomplete.\u00a0 But that wouldn\u2019t be right.\u00a0 So I waited.\u00a0 Wrote almost nothing during that time.<\/p>\n

I did some reading.\u00a0 Nothing was there.\u00a0 It\u2019s hockey playoff season, so I took a break.\u00a0 Just relaxed.<\/p>\n

And then the answer came \u2013 as part of that \u201cin the mean time\u201d series.\u00a0 It\u2019s perfect.\u00a0 And here it is:<\/p>\n

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. <\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at where that comes from.<\/p>\n

Trials and Temptations<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Jas 1:2<\/span> Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3<\/span> because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4<\/span> Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5<\/span> If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6<\/span> But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7<\/span> That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8<\/span> he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jas 1:9<\/span> The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10<\/span> But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11<\/span> For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jas 1:12<\/span> Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jas 1:13<\/span> When tempted, no one should say, \u201cGod is tempting me.\u201d For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14<\/span> but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15<\/span> Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jas 1:16<\/span> Don\u2019t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17<\/span> Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18<\/span> He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.<\/span><\/p>\n

We all need growth in all of these areas.<\/p>\n

Who doesn\u2019t need more wisdom?\u00a0 And maybe the ones who need it most are those of us who think \/ thought we knew everything \u2013 or were even capable of learning everything.<\/p>\n

Who doesn\u2019t need more humility?\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t begin to remember all the times when I was conscious of the fact that God was \u201cpopping my bubble\u201d.\u00a0 And that\u2019s just the ones I was aware of.<\/p>\n

Perseverance under trials is something we can only even hope to learn as more and more trials take place.\u00a0 And make no mistake \u2013 in my experience the trials don\u2019t get any easier.\u00a0 What changes is our ability to trust God to get us through them.\u00a0 That didn\u2019t happen with just a few of them.\u00a0 It\u2019s a lifetime\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n

Given all that, the ability to not only accept, but to embrace that first verse we looked at absolutely requires growth:<\/p>\n

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus said \u2013<\/p>\n

Mt 5:11<\/span> \u201cBlessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.<\/span> 12<\/span> Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus promises His followers trouble \u2013 not an easy life.\u00a0 And yet, He also tells us to rejoice and be glad because of those troubles.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s something completely beyond the comprehension of a non-believer.\u00a0 It\u2019s something the new believer often thinks they\u2019re ready for.\u00a0 But becoming a believer is, as I said, just the starting point.\u00a0 It\u2019s the impetus for Satan to start the attacks.\u00a0 Being able to rejoice, be glad, be at peace \u2013 that takes growth.<\/p>\n

Being born again starts the process.\u00a0 But being grown-again is the journey that takes us to the ability to do things like feel at peace.\u00a0 To believe what we read in a Psalm that\u2019s often used at funerals \u2013 but very much applies to everyday life.<\/p>\n

Psalm 23<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

A psalm of David.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ps 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, <\/span>
he leads me beside quiet waters,<\/span><\/p>\n

Ps 23:3 he restores my soul. <\/span>
He guides me in paths of righteousness <\/span>
for his name\u2019s sake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ps 23:4 Even though I walk <\/span>
through the valley of the shadow of death, <\/span>
I will fear no evil, <\/span>
for you are with me; <\/span>
your rod and your staff, <\/span>
they comfort me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having been through this \u2013 including a night in the hospital where I literally felt the Holy Spirit was telling me to lie down in green pastures and to let Him lead me beside still waters.\u00a0 I\u2019ve also been comforted by the Shepherd\u2019s rod and staff \u2013 implements to do real physical harm to someone \/ something attacking the sheep.\u00a0 It sounds crazy to the non-believer.\u00a0 It sounds comforting to the new believer.\u00a0 But what we sometimes have to go through to get to the point where we really truly experience and totally believe it \u2013 that\u2019s something else.<\/p>\n

Consider this from Paul:<\/p>\n

Warnings From Israel\u2019s History<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

1Co 10:1<\/span> For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2<\/span> They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3<\/span> They all ate the same spiritual food 4<\/span> and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5<\/span> Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.<\/span><\/p>\n

1Co 10:6<\/span> Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7<\/span> Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: \u201cThe people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.\u201d 8<\/span> We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did\u2014and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9<\/span> We should not test the Lord, as some of them did\u2014and were killed by snakes. 10<\/span> And do not grumble, as some of them did\u2014and were killed by the destroying angel.<\/span><\/p>\n

1Co 10:11<\/span> These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12<\/span> So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don\u2019t fall! 13<\/span> No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.<\/span><\/p>\n

I used to think that part about\u00a0he will also provide a way out<\/span>\u00a0was about God actually providing a way out of the problems.\u00a0 Actually, a better way to put it is that I used to hope God would\u00a0also provide a way out<\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 I no longer believe that.\u00a0 It\u2019s not about a way out of the problem.\u00a0 It\u2019s about a way of getting through the problem.\u00a0 And sometimes that means just hanging out with God and resting in His peace \u2013 until we\u2019re strong enough to allow Him to walk through the problem with us.<\/p>\n

When I was working in the IT field, I always felt like I learned a lot more when things went wrong than I ever did when everything was OK.\u00a0 After all, when things go wrong, we have to deal with them.\u00a0 When things go well, it\u2019s like being on auto-pilot.\u00a0 We learn little to nothing.\u00a0 It\u2019s the troubles and the trials that bring us to asking God for help.\u00a0 And that\u2019s where we learn and grow.<\/p>\n

However \u2013 that\u2019s still not the end of the journey.<\/p>\n

We look to something Jesus told Peter to see what comes next.<\/p>\n

Lk 22:31<\/span> \u201cSimon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32<\/span> But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 22:33<\/span> But he replied, \u201cLord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lk 22:34<\/span> Jesus answered,<\/span> \u201cI tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The first thing to notice is that Jesus starts off by saying that Satan asked to sift Peter like he was wheat.\u00a0 For more on this passage, please see\u00a0Lead us not into temptation \u2026<\/a>\u00a0, which is part of a series on The Lord\u2019s Prayer.<\/p>\n

The next thing is that Jesus lets Peter know this request has been granted.\u00a0 It is going to happen.<\/p>\n

The final thing \u2013 the next step in being a grown-again Christian \u2013 is where Jesus says\u00a0when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers<\/span>.\u00a0 Helping someone else with their problems and trials is a logical step in the progression of a Christian.\u00a0 It\u2019s part of fulfilling the Great Commission.\u00a0 But even more, it\u2019s being there when someone else is struggling to stay on the path.\u00a0 It\u2019s when we have our own experiences and as we begin to grow that we can really understand guidance that we receive from the Holy Spirit on how to do this.<\/p>\n

We see an example of this from Job \u2013 where his friends tried to help him with their own experiences and misguided beliefs about God.<\/p>\n

Job 42:7<\/span> After the LORD had said these things to Job , he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, \u201cI am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8<\/span> So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.\u201d 9<\/span> So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job\u2019s prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion \u2013 The end of the journey<\/h6>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at what Jesus said about Himself and about us.<\/p>\n

The Shepherd and His Flock<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n

Jn 10:1<\/span> \u201cI tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2<\/span> The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3<\/span> The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4<\/span> When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5<\/span> But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger\u2019s voice.\u201d 6<\/span> Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 10:7<\/span> Therefore Jesus said again,<\/span> \u201cI tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8<\/span> All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9<\/span> I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10<\/span> The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 10:11<\/span> \u201cI am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12<\/span> The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13<\/span> The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jn 10:14<\/span> \u201cI am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me\u2014 15<\/span> just as the Father knows me and I know the Father\u2014and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16<\/span> I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17<\/span> The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life\u2014only to take it up again. 18<\/span> No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is the shepherd.\u00a0 We know His voice.\u00a0 But we need to learn about what He says.\u00a0 For believers, we will have life.\u00a0 But as we saw from what Paul wrote about escaping through the flames \u2013 and what James wrote about faith producing deeds, because we will desire to do them as our faith grows \u2013 there\u2019s a difference between life \u2013 and life to the full.<\/p>\n

To the extent that we are not satisfied with being born-again \u2013 not satisfied with a minimal faith and few, if any, meaningful deeds \u2013 we will want to grow.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be on the path of the grown-again Christian.\u00a0 Becoming better at hearing His voice.\u00a0 Having more faith and more trust in God.\u00a0 Being able to have life to the full \u2013 and also life at peace in the middle of a life that has trials.<\/p>\n

True enough, if we are born-again and then don\u2019t grow \u2013 Jesus tells us we\u2019ll have eternal life in the Kingdom of God.\u00a0 The question we must ask though \u2013 if we\u2019re happy with a no-growth scenario \u2013 if we have faith that produces no fruit in our lives \u2013 do we really believe?<\/p>\n

And if we really do believe \u2013 do we not also want to grab onto Jesus and go for that full life?\u00a0 Do we not also want to become grown-again Christians?<\/p>\n\n

As a final closing, I\u2019d like to include the lyrics from a song that came on while I was writing the conclusion.\u00a0 It\u2019s \u201cThe Greatest Gift\u201d, written by Matt Redman, performed by Hillsong London.<\/a><\/p>\n

Condemnation falls away
Never more to call on me and I am clean, yes I am clean
The powerful work of you in me
Breaks the chains of guilt and shame and I go free, yes I go free<\/p>\n

I take them to your cross and leave them there
Captured by this grace I\u2019m free at last<\/p>\n

It is the great gift of Your salvation
Working in me, working in me
It is the life giving taste of heaven
Your kindness revealed, Your kindness revealed to me<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the greatest gift of all
It\u2019s the greatest gift of all
It\u2019s the greatest gift of all<\/p>\n

Your mercy\u2019s pouring down on me, Your mercy\u2019s pouring down on me
And I am clean, I am clean
Your mercy\u2019s pouring down on me, Your mercy\u2019s pouring down on me
And I go free, I go free<\/p>\n

It is the great gift of Your salvation\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>
Working in me, working in me<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Is it working in you?<\/p>\n\n\n

Disciples of the Wise<\/h6>\n

KALLAH<\/span><\/b>\u00a0(Heb. \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4; \u201cbride\u201d), one of the minor tractates appended to the end of the fourth order,\u00a0Nezikin<\/i>, in the printed texts of the\u00a0Babylonian Talmud<\/span>. There are two separate versions of the tractate. The shorter one consists of a single chapter while the larger version contains ten chapters and is known as\u00a0Kallah Rabbati<\/i>. Originally only the shorter tractate was known and it was published in the printed edition of the\u00a0Talmud<\/span>\u00a0and the\u00a0Ma\u1e25zor Vitry<\/i>. The manuscript of the longer version was first published by Na\u1e25man Coronel (Vienna, 1864), and subsequently printed in the\u00a0*Romm\u00a0(Vilna) edition of the Talmud. In three places the Babylonian Talmud cites the same passage, which mentions a tractate\u00a0Kallah<\/i>\u00a0(Shab. 114a; Ta\u2019an. 10b; Kid. 49b). It is related that a person is considered a disciple of the wise when he can answer any question of\u00a0halakhah<\/i>\u00a0connected with his studies \u201ceven though it is on a subject dealt with in the\u00a0Kallah<\/i>\u00a0tractate.\u201d Scholars are uncertain as to the exact meaning of this phrase. Some hold that the allusion is to this tractate, while others explain that the reference is to the semiannual assemblies of the Babylonian scholars which were termed\u00a0kallah<\/i>\u00a0and at which a designated tractate was studied.<\/p>\n

The smaller tractate of\u00a0Kallah<\/i>\u00a0discusses the subject of betrothal, marriage, chastity, and moral purity both in thought and action. The subject matter of this treatise is culled from\u00a0*beraitot<\/i>\u00a0contained in the Babylonian Talmud. Its authorship was generally attributed to Yehudai Gaon (eighth century), but M. Higger concludes that the original\u00a0Kallah<\/i>\u00a0was compiled by a disciple of\u00a0*Eliezer b. Hyrcanus\u00a0and that a later compiler added to it (intro. to M. Higger\u2019s edition of\u00a0Kallah<\/i>, 13).<\/p>\n

The larger tractate of\u00a0Kallah Rabbati<\/i>\u00a0resembles the format of the Talmud, consisting of\u00a0beraitot<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Gemara<\/span><\/i>. According to N. Friedmann (Seder<\/span>Eliyahu Zuta<\/i>, introd. p. 15), it emanated from the school of\u00a0*Rava\u00a0in Mahoza (Babylonia<\/span>, third century). A. Aptowitzer, however, held that the author was Rava, a disciple of Yehudai\u00a0Gaon<\/span>\u00a0(REJ<\/small>\u00a057 (1909), 239\u201348). Of the ten chapters comprising\u00a0Kallah Rabbati<\/i>\u00a0only the first two discuss betrothal and marriage and they form a commentary to the shorter version of\u00a0Kallah<\/i>. Except for chapter 8, the remaining chapters form an amplification of\u00a0Derekh Ere\u1e93 Rabbah<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Derekh Ere\u1e93 Zuta<\/i>. Chapter 8 is closely related to \u201cthe chapter on the acquisition of the\u00a0Torah<\/span>\u201d or \u201cthe\u00a0baraita<\/i>\u00a0of R. Meir\u201d appended to\u00a0Pirkei Avot<\/span><\/i>. Much aggadic material is contained in this tractate, including the interesting stories of Akiva and the spirit of a deceased man (ch. 2); the four sages and the philosopher (ch. 7); Simeon b. Antipatros and his guests (ch. 9); and Akiva and the Athenian (ch. 10). A critical edition of the texts of\u00a0Kallah<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Kallah Rabbati<\/i>\u00a0was published by M. Higger in 1936. An English translation of these tractates was issued by Soncino Press in 1965.<\/p>\n

From the Jewish Virtual Library at http:\/\/www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org\/kallah<\/a><\/p>\n

return to reading<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Discover more from God versus religion<\/h3>\n

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever heard of a \u201cGrown-again Christian\u201d?\u00a0 Me neither.\u00a0 But that term came to me this morning.\u00a0 It should be one.\u00a0 I mean \u2013 too many Christians are \u201cborn-again\u201d, but then never mature \/ grow \/ grow up.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like this is a new concept.\u00a0 It\u2019s just one that I don\u2019t remember ever […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[117607],"tags":[1871,10275,183426,2450],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-362224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-featured-posts","tag-christian","tag-god","tag-grownagain","tag-religion"],"yoast_head":"\nGrown-again Christian - God versus religion - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Grown-again Christian - God versus religion - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Have you ever heard of a \u201cGrown-again Christian\u201d?\u00a0 Me neither.\u00a0 But that term came to me this morning.\u00a0 It should be one.\u00a0 I mean \u2013 too many Christians are \u201cborn-again\u201d, but then never mature \/ grow \/ grow up.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like this is a new concept.\u00a0 It\u2019s just one that I don\u2019t remember ever […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-01T18:38:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"47 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\"},\"headline\":\"Grown-again Christian – God versus religion\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-01T18:38:16+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224\"},\"wordCount\":9418,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Christian\",\"god\",\"Grownagain\",\"RELIGION\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Featured Posts\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224\",\"name\":\"Grown-again Christian - God versus religion - Som2ny Network\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-01T18:38:16+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Grown-again Christian – God versus religion\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"description\":\"Daily Deals\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"width\":300,\"height\":86,\"caption\":\"Som2ny Network\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Grown-again Christian - God versus religion - Som2ny Network","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Grown-again Christian - God versus religion - Som2ny Network","og_description":"Have you ever heard of a \u201cGrown-again Christian\u201d?\u00a0 Me neither.\u00a0 But that term came to me this morning.\u00a0 It should be one.\u00a0 I mean \u2013 too many Christians are \u201cborn-again\u201d, but then never mature \/ grow \/ grow up.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like this is a new concept.\u00a0 It\u2019s just one that I don\u2019t remember ever […]","og_url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224","og_site_name":"Som2ny Network","article_published_time":"2026-08-01T18:38:16+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"47 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371"},"headline":"Grown-again Christian – God versus religion","datePublished":"2026-08-01T18:38:16+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224"},"wordCount":9418,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg","keywords":["Christian","god","Grownagain","RELIGION"],"articleSection":["Featured Posts"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224","name":"Grown-again Christian - God versus religion - Som2ny Network","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg","datePublished":"2026-08-01T18:38:16+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/godversusreligion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/grown-again-350-230.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362224#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Grown-again Christian – God versus religion"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","name":"Som2ny Network","description":"Daily Deals","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization","name":"Som2ny Network","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","width":300,"height":86,"caption":"Som2ny Network"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/fivemor.com"],"url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/362224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=362224"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/362224\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=362224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=362224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=362224"},{"taxonomy":"dealstore","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fdealstore&post=362224"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fofferexpiration&post=362224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}