THE questions I believe deserve answering will be answered using the bible.
What are the merits of being "Born Again"?
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
And what does the phrase even mean to you?
1 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
What makes a person who is "Born Again" different from someone who is "Not, Born Again"?
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
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And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Can a person be "Born Again" and then suddenly not be "Born Again"?
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed,
ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
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To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
What specifically does the Bible itself actually teach on this?
John 3:3 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.
Do Protestants follow through on how the Bible defines it?
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
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Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Also, in what way are you "spiritually free" in comparison to me?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
how do you know that you are?
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life,
which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
and how would you know if you are more than me? or less than me?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
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Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
What would you describe "Spiritual freedom" as?
Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Why does this "spiritual freedom" require believing that God incarnated into the body of a man and died in 33AD?
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren,
I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
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By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;
but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.