A book I have just started reading

"What in the world is a Christian" by John Blanchard, with chapter headings such as

A son: new birth, new life

The mystery of being a son of God. He talks about the necessity of being born again, and sites the conversation between Nicodemus & Jesus John 3. Jesus is talking about spiritual birth, where as Nicodemus is quite confused! But new life a mystery to us..maybe we forget that it is so. It's not just a 'formula, or technique' but a complete mystery.

John Blanchard says
'Can you tell me how you were born again?You may be able to tell me the time the place the year month etc...but can you tell me how it happened?...If you were converted at some kind of service or meeting, can you explain how or why you were saved and other people in the same gathering were completely untouched?The simple answer is that you cannot do so.The whole thing is a mystery"

Elsewhere he says "are you so caught up with being a Christian that you've forgotten how you became one?"

A saint: separate and different

We have a lovely friend who finds it very hard to think of herself as a saint,and who can blame her because of some churches teaching on the subject! By their standards, I would never be one either! but Paul clearly states in Ephesiens that all Christians are saints.
"The words basic root does not refer to moral goodness as opposed to evil" & JB goes on to show that the word saint (separate/different) is used of objects, ie; the vetements that the priests were to wear "sacred", part of the tabernacle was called "the most holy place"

"Some churches teach that a saint is made as a result of good works, the Bible teaches that a person becomes a saint because of a miracle by God in the person concerned, a biblical saint is one chosen by the Lord,and not elected by the church."

Oh go get the book! it's great, it is a timely reminder of how we became Christians in the first place, how we were born again, the wonderful & incredible miracle that God worked in us who believe
' and this not of ourselves so that no one can boast. It is the gift of God'