born for fullness

The phrase "you must be born again" has become fraught with difficulties because it is so closely associated with that form of Christianity typified by American Fundamentalism. But the desire to distance oneself from one kind of Christianity or another shouldn't keep us from grasping the words of Jesus - we must be born, not only physically, but spiritually as well - we are more than just physical beings, we need to be spiritually alive too. It isn't necessarily the case that being "born from above" refers to a one-time moment in our spiritual journeys. We may need to come often to Christ to seek the spiritual life that he offers.

The life of the Spirit is given to us FROM God, by an infilling of HIS spirit; it is also the case that he brings OUR spirits to life within us. We need to keep coming to Jesus whenever the darkness falls upon our souls - in the dark night of the soul, when the darkness threatens the light - and seek his light and life.

I commend the full post to you. Maggi is a clear and lovely writer and theologian.