Evangelicals teach a momentous change from sinner to saint by a formulation called being "Born Again." And this implies for some an immediate change, and for others, a progressive change. In reality I think it is both.
I do think there is an immediate Born Again change when we begin to acknowledge that Christ is our substitute, when we put that reality into motion by accepting God's Word in our lives that enables us to live according to that directive. Just like when our employer tells us to do something he provides the means for us to do it, we can do God's word when He gives us the command to do it.
Even more, when God tells us to completely relinquish final say in our lives, and make God our primary source of authority, we are able to follow that directive and thereby obtain the spiritual means to comply. We become "Born Again."
Some Christians try to dismiss the confusion over formulations of Salvation on the premise that we begin as sinners and end as sinners even after we come under Grace. We are not instantly transformed into saints--we simply become God's People by covenant in the act of acknowledging it and following that directive.
A formula for becoming "Born Again" can become an "oversimplification" of the Salvation formula. We go from sinner to saint only in the sense that 1) we come under covenant with God, 2) we come under grace, and 3) we live by our substitute and not by our carnal being. As such, we are Born Again but not living in righteousness except on the basis of Grace until we obtain glorification.
But I believe that there are some confusion according to the Bible because I believe that born again is written in the Bible maybe a few times and he speaks more of a change in the body not to mind. Now Paul says in Romans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what
is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Now, Let’s jump right in a conversation that Jesus was having with a man name Nicodemus. John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Notice verse 3, except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. We have just learned something here. If you are not born again you can not see the kingdom of God. As we go further you will understand this. Remember there is a time for everything.
Nicodemus asked a very good question. Take a look at the next set of verses.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
In verse 5, born of the water in this case is the Word of God. Notice the Lord mentions the kingdom of God again, but He adds a little more information. He says "
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. When he mentions spirit He means exactly that. Watch how the Lord gives something physical to describe exactly what He means.
John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Notice: He made a difference between flesh and spirit. Ask yourself that question, was you born flesh or spirit? Angels where born spirit being, man and beast are born flesh and blood. There will be no flesh in the Father Kingdom, only spirit beings, so everyone must be born again. Only Jesus in his thousand year reign will have both, which includes the first resurrection.
John 3:7
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Notice: He compared the wind to a spirit. Can you see the wind? No! We have seen things being blown around by the wind, but we have never seen the wind. If you are born of the spirit you are like the wind. This is when you are truly born again, when you are born of the spirit.
Notice: what Jesus does in these next few verses. Remember, this is after His resurrection.
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said,
Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas,
Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him,
My Lord and my God.