When Does Spiritual Life REALLY Begin?

A. INTRODUCTION

As long as I can remember I seldom ever seriously doubted my salvation. That is, unless I was asked, or it was strongly suggested, that I should be able to pinpoint the exact day and hour…yea, the very moment…when I repented of my sins and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior.

You see, personally, it wasn’t a big issue. I was raised in a Christian home and always had a heart for God. It was certain churches, with their legalism and constant haranguing on eternal damnation that would drive a wedge into any tiny crack in my assurance they could find.

Besides, I had no heinous sins to repent of. At least, I didn’t think so. Sure, there were normal things like exposure to pornography at twelve years of age that plagued my mind with wrong fantasies. To even the score between “sins of the flesh” and “sins of the spirit,” I struggled with resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness most of my life. I recently horrified my family by announcing that I had been a regular kleptomaniac in the ninth grade.

So how did the church force me into doubting my salvation when otherwise it really was a non-issue? I believe it revolves around our misunderstanding some simple, practical aspects of becoming ‘born again’. One common misconception is that everyone must have a dramatic conversion and be able to refer back to a milestone experience that declares “that’s when it happened…it was at such a time and place and these are the circumstances surrounding the event.” Often when the subject is broached in those terms, people like me who normally have no doubts about being a child of God, but who don’t remember any such specific occasion, are suddenly bombarded by enemy attacks to question, “If it didn’t really happen that way, are you really, truly born again?”

That leads us to the question, when does spiritual life actually begin? At birth or conception? How many times in your lifetime have you ever heard anyone ask that question? I never had. That is, until God Himself asked me that question, and then proceeded to give me the answer. I believe it is extremely critical that we be able to answer that question. But to do so, we must revisit John 3 with an open mind.

B. A FRESH LOOK AT THE CONCEPTION AND BIRTH PROCESS

When Jesus introduced the ‘born again’ concept, He was using a natural illustration to explain a spiritual truth - a parable. A cardinal rule of interpreting a parable is to understand that it usually teaches one central truth, and was not intended to be twisted into a hundred applications. Unfortunately, what we often do, rather than over-apply, is we fail to search for deeper level aspects of the concept. When the natural images are compared and applied side by side with the spiritual ramifications, we can discover some astounding and exhilarating vignettes that make a lot of sense and give insights that Jesus likely intended for us to understand. If we can grasp some of these insights, we can put to rest many of the most common lies and accusations of the deceiver.

Let’s explore the possibilities.

Naturally	Spiritually
In the conception process, you have a male and female participant.	Jesus is the bridegroom; we are the bride.
The female possesses a womb where conception occurs, and life is nurtured and developed.	Our spirit is the womb where spiritual conception occurs, is nurtured and developed.
Male seed is deposited in the female womb where it fertilizes an egg, and life begins.	The Gospel - seed, sperm (in some translations) is deposited in our spirit, producing spiritual life.
Conception is not automatic…only at specific occasions of ovulation, and providing that both sperm and egg are healthy and capable of fertilization.	“No man can come to the Father unless the Spirit draw him (amp. ‘attracts … draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me’)”  - John 6:44
Life is not outwardly obvious for the duration of gestation, except for the gradual expansion of the female body to accommodate the inner development, and feeling the baby’s movement by the mother.	There is often no evidence of spiritual life initially.  In many cases, not for days, weeks, months, even years … at least real obvious proof, except for an occasional spark.
After a certain period of time, travail kicks in, in a traumatic fashion, forcing the new life into full view.	Again, though a person believes sincerely in Christ, it often is not until some crisis or otherwise dramatic event occurs that a person is forced, in desperation, to call on Jesus and make a serious commitment, which propels them forth into practical faith

 

The miraculous ingredient that triggers spiritual conception and causes new life to spring forth is faith or believing. In His discourse about this with Nicodemus in John 3, Jesus repeats it several times: in three out of the four verses from 15-18, and then again in verse 36.  He informed him that anyone who would believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God would have (the amplified version of the Bible, in verse 36, interprets ‘has’ as ’now possesses’) eternal (or everlasting) life. 

This same writer, John, reiterates this truth in his first epistle to the churches: chapter 5, verses 1, 10-13.  He instructs them that “everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God”; and that his express purpose for writing his letter to them was “so that you may know (with settled and absolute knowledge) that you [already (italics mine)] have life; yes, eternal life.”

Man always seems to struggle with the temptation to add something to simple faith as a condition or requirement for salvation.  God does not.  Earlier believers attempted to tack on the ritual of circumcision for the Gentiles to acquire full spiritual status with God.  The Jerusalem Council finally made a determination that it wasn’t necessary, requiring only that they abstain from certain undesirable behavior as believers (Acts 15).   The Apostle James suggested, “…it is my opinion that we should not put obstacles in the way of and annoy and disturb those of the Gentiles who turn to God.”

In Ephesians chapter 2 we see the incredible picture of how God, by His Mercy and (free) Grace (unmerited favor), has taken us, dead because of our sins, made us alive, and then “raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being (italics mine)] in Christ Jesus” (v.6).  Paul goes on to say, “He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace…” (v.7).

Then he makes this capstone declaration in verses 8-9 on which evangelicalism bases its distinct pre-requisite for personal salvation: “For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through (your) faith.  And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing.  It came not through your own striving), but is the gift of God; not because of works (not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands), lest any man should boast.  (It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself).”

The reason we have nothing to offer is that, first and foremost, we are dead.  A dead person is utterly helpless and can make no effort whatsoever; and cannot, therefore, even generate the faith required to believe.  Furthermore, a dead man would not desire to do so, if he could, because the natural heart, and mind, and will, of man is “desperately wicked” and steeled against God in every way.  So God must, of necessity, even impart in us the faith we need to believe.  That is how totally it is all God, and nothing of us.

Secondly, once we believe, we still have nothing to offer, because “all our righteousness is as filthy rags.”  It’s all useless to God, and not beneficial at all to us in adding to, or improving on, this entire process of coming alive spiritually, and entering into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

C. COULD SALVATION BE A PROCESS?

Another key passage of Scripture that helps in understanding this concept is Romans 10:10 [amp.], “For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God)”. If we believe that life, naturally, begins at conception, then we have to agree that spiritual life also begins at conception, at that inner level of sincere believing, without necessarily involving confession as well.

I have emphasized ’sincere’ believing as explained in the amplified version, since our western concept of believing is rather weak, and does not adequately express the full meaning of the eastern worldview, and what the Scriptures intend to portray. So it is not some half-hearted believing as in a casual or merely mental assent, but rather a deep, meaningful faith-belief.

Most translations or versions of the scriptures do not use the word “justified,” but rather, as in the KJV, state “for with the heart man believes unto righteousness.” Both of these words have to do with relationship: be in right standing with, or be properly related to. I believe this first part of verse 10 can stand alone without needing to be inexorably connected to the last part. There are two separate thoughts here.

In other words, what I believe Paul was saying is that a person comes into an initial personal relationship with God, through a sincere understanding and believing that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God” alone, without necessarily needing to confess and make a public stand. (Is there a reason we refer to Christians as “believers” and not “confessors”? Maybe that’s a stretch. But, then again, maybe not.)

It is my conviction that this act of ‘believing’ is the time of spiritual conception. The confession may come at the same or a later time. But confession deals with a different aspect of our conversion experience. It has to do with our salvation, “…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” [Rom. 10:10b KJV]. The amplified version indicates that the believer “confirms” his salvation by his confession. Quite true. But maybe even more. Being saved appears to refer to every aspect of the believer’s life, and connotes a reclamation, a healing, a restoration of that which was lost.

One of the most pertinent passages of scripture in this regard is James 5:13-16, where he describes different situations one might be in, and how one is to respond to each.  If you are afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil), you should pray; if glad at heart, sing praise; if sick, call for the church elders to anoint you with oil and pray over you.  What results can be expected?  “The prayer of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

He then goes on to set the framework on how all that functions. “Confess to one another therefore…and pray (also) for one another, that you may be healed and restored (to a spiritual tone of mind and heart).”  There are many aspects of the entire human make-up that are addressed in this passage.  It appears to indicate that when we become believers, individually, and then attach ourselves to a body of believers (the Church), in the process of functioning as believers and as a Church, the Holy Spirit, through the Word (sometimes directly, sometimes through others) instructs us, convicts us, and directs us to confess “…your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray (also) for one another…” on a daily and continuing basis. And thus we are saved (or continually being saved).

Saved from what?  Yes, from eternal damnation.  But also, from all the things the enemy has placed us in bondage to.  We are healed from all the hurts and damages he has inflicted on us; what he has stolen from us, in any and every area of our lives, is restored back to us.  We are saved, and continue to be saved, as we continue to walk in, and submit to, this scriptural dynamic.  To see this accomplished, both in individual lives and in the greater Body of Christ, is the passion of my heart! And not in just symptomatic ways where people keep coming back week after week with the same old problems, get prayed over, with no obvious or lasting fruit; but where believers’ lives and churches are dramatically impacted and permanently changed (truly converted).

In Acts chapter two, the Apostle Peter walks his Jewish audience through their history, beginning with King David to their present time, making the case that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah (v.36).  They were totally convicted and convinced, and were ready to make a commitment.  “What shall we do?” they wailed.  Notice how Peter responds to their question.  “Repent (change your views, and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it)” he replied.

In fact, it is quite obvious they had already done that, or were in the process of doing so.  Even asking the question reveals that the conception is transpiring.  (If you don’t agree, compare this interaction with Stephen’s in chapter seven…quite different.  No understanding, no conviction, no desire to learn more…just outright rebellion and rejection…and no conception).  They sincerely believed what Peter said about Jesus, and were already being transformed by the power of God; creating a desire within them to make a full commitment to the cause of Christ and this ‘new Way’, asking what the next step in the process was.

Did their lives change radically?  Did it impact their culture?  By all means: dramatically!  They were reported as having flooded Jerusalem with their doctrine and turned their society upside down.  Yet there was haggling and strife over the mere distribution of food (chapter six), and probably a myriad of issues that were never reported.  So they were far from perfect (complete) yet, and had to go through the process of being saved (sanctified) like all human beings do.

Do all who believe become instantaneously conceived and converted as were these folk, where there is only a supposed minor work of Grace remaining to be done in their lives?  Not necessarily.  It happens both ways.

A question that has puzzled many people for years has to do with certain mainline denominations and religious structures that do not emphasize a specific “salvation” experience. Individuals from such backgrounds often appear to receive baptism in the Holy Spirit without a prior conversion experience. Doesn’t a person need to receive Jesus and be a child of the Heavenly Father before they can be a recipient of that precious gift?  I thought so.

What if they had already believed in Christ in their hearts and minds in an acceptable manner to the Father (though maybe not acceptable to many evangelicals), were spiritually conceived and growing inwardly, without our knowledge (or approval)?  Then, when presented with the gift of the Holy Spirit, could it be that they received that gift in a simple act of faith as they believed in Jesus in their hearts…and ‘presto’, they were baptized?  That may have been the point of true conversion, the traumatic event that catapulted them head over heels into becoming fully born again.

Now, they couldn’t keep the Holy Spirit confined to themselves and their church rituals, rather, they came bursting forth out of the spiritual closet, becoming true evangelicals and sharing their faith with everyone, within and outside the church walls.  As they did so, and as time elapsed, conviction set in, bondages and habits fell off. Could this be the process of becoming truly saved?

Oh, but that is sanctification.  True.  Maybe.  Perhaps being saved is the entire process that actually begins at conversion and continues on with sanctification.  Maybe, just maybe, there is an indistinguishable line that simply cannot be specifically determined as humans. Besides, God never said the many secrets of His Kingdom could or should be dissected, understood, and explained in nice, little categories.