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Made New

"Not by works in righteousness that we practice, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of the new beginning, and renewing of the Holy Spirit."4

Here we see a washing and a renewing. This washing occurred at a new beginning, a renewing of the Spirit. This word for new beginning is paliggenesia, (from pálin, "again" and génesis, "beginning, birth") properly, the coming of new birth because "born again"; regeneration. Now in the beginning is Genesis which is derived from, ginomai, "birth." This word for renewing is the same used when speaking of metamorphosis, a completing of the new birth process, transformation, such genesis begins within.

"... however, metamorphosed the renewing of the mind to prove by you what is the will of God, good and acceptable and perfect."1 

This word for renewing is ana-kainósis, "again new" (from aná, "up, again" which intensifies kainō, "new") such speaks to something being renewed, but can we say it is again made, since it is a new creation? would the proper phrase be new from above? The new birth you never possessed, it is completely new, the mind you had it is old being made new again.

"Metamorphosed the renewing of the mind," 

Notice in this translation the absence of the words "be" and "by," "be metamorphosis or transformed by the renewal of the mind" There is a difference, one says I am transformed by the renewing of the mind. This implies the external elements do the transformation; thinking on good things, etc... While they are elements, one must be careful as we can create good habits and have positive thinking and not be transformed nor even a child of God. We can make a Pharisee.

Metamorphosis is the process of the seed that has been planted within, I am made new. It is the seed bursting forth into a seedling, the inward bursting outward in renewal of my mind. It was prophesied that Christ would shoot forth from the root of Jesse, a life giving spirit. It is the inner being becoming reality, my mind is being renewed and by such I accept his will as good and pleasing, this is the most important part of the process, my persuasion. I had been persuaded in my mind otherwise, by a lie. There is a new birth, salvation, a renewing, working out my salvation, and a standing firm.

"You must be born from above."2

This word for born is gennáō, "begotten, produce offspring" from genos, "birth" and this word for from above is anóthen, "up, from above, heavenly." Nicodemus missed the "from above" part and he asks how can one enter the womb a second time.3 The word "again," like born again, palin is never used in the conversation. In the writings of Peter we see a word ana-gennaó, (from ana, "up" and gennáō, "offspring") offspring from above, this word is said not to be in the original Greek Septuagint. The process of Metamorphosis starts with birth from above or the seed being planted, so how did this happen?

"Many listened of the disciples of him and said hard is this word, who is able he to hear."4

Jesus is the sower, He is the Word. This word for able is dunamai, to show ability or power. So they had no ability to understand, their eyes were shut, their hearts darkened. Now, we can blame that on a hardened heart but they turned away because they had no ability to understand. However, the disciples understood because Jesus said he had opened their eyes. He spoke in parables to the others so they would not see. There would be a time when the kingdom of God would be revealed to them. This was chosen to be revealed through the Church, this mystery of the gospel. To do so now would have given the treasures of the kingdom to them. How did he open their eyes? and how will he reveal it to others?

"The Spirit of truth whom the world is not able to receive because it experiences not him nor knows him but you know him for with you he abides and in you will abide."5 

This word for experience is theōréō (from theáomai, "to gaze, contemplate") – gaze on for the purpose of analyzing (discriminating). It is the root of the English term "theatre," i.e. where people concentrate on the meaning of an action. They could not understand, but to the disciples the Spirit of God was on them and would be in them, later they would be "born again." Everything is told in parables, the scales are on their eyes, "so that seeing they might see and not perceive and hearing they might not hear and not understand lest ever they should turn and I send them away."6 

"The Spirit it is giving life, the flesh not profits no one, the words that I speak to you are Spirit and they are life."7 The words of Christ are living and abiding, they are Spirit and Life. "Born from above, not of perishable seed but of imperishable seed by the living and abiding word of God."3 The sower is Jesus, the word of God.4 The Holy Spirit prepares the soil, or the heart, a circumcision of the heart. The Spirit preceded Jesus into the Most Holy Place, Paul writes.  

"the good soil these are whosoever in a heart worthy and good having heard the word possess it and bring forth fruit by perseverance." 

This word for possess is katechó, from katá, "bring down exactly, complete" and echo, "have, hold, possess") kata is opposite to aná ("bring up to completion") Do you see? hearing they understand, seeing they see, they possess the Word, but it is the Holy Spirit which opens the eyes, prepares the soil, circumcises the heart. Now there is a bringing forth of fruit to those who remain or persevere, this is transformation. New birth is a bringing down, from above, but transformation is a bringing up to completion. So the salvation of new birth is being worked out through transformation. The Holy Spirit prepares the soil, a heart made ready, worthy and good, such was prophesied of.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."8

There is a death and resurrection by the Spirit, I am born from above. There will be a death and resurrection of my body whereby I will receive a gloried body without sin. There is a death and resurrection of my soul whereby I am transformed, my mind renewed, I participate in the likeness of his death, united with him, so that I will be in the likeness of his resurrection, united with in him in life. I am completing the process that began in me. Transform your people O Lord. 

"Therefore Christ having suffered (to feel heavy emotion) in the flesh also you the same mind (thought intention, the engaged mind) make ready (arm yourself, helmet of salvation), for the one having suffered in the flesh is done (has dominion) over sin."7

Made New

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