# Words of the Faith — the I AM REBORN glossary - Canonical: https://www.iamreborn.net/glossary ## Abide _Also: Remain in Christ_ To remain connected to Jesus the way a branch stays joined to a vine — not by straining, but by staying. Jesus says fruit in a Christian’s life comes from abiding in Him, not from effort apart from Him. Key passage: John 15:4–5. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-grow-closer-to-god ## Assurance of salvation The settled confidence that you belong to God. Scripture says believers can know they have eternal life — resting not on how they feel on a given day, but on what Jesus has done and promised. Key passage: 1 John 5:13. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-do-i-know-if-im-really-saved ## Born again _Also: Reborn, New creation_ The new spiritual life God gives someone who trusts in Jesus. It is not self-improvement but a new identity: the old has gone and the new has come, and growth flows out of who you now are. Key passage: John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/what-it-means-to-be-reborn ## Calling _Also: God’s will, Vocation_ God’s purpose for a person’s life. Much of it is already plain in Scripture — love God, love people, make disciples — and the specific next step is usually found by faithfully doing what is already in front of you. Key passage: Ephesians 2:10. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-know-gods-will-for-your-life ## Conviction _Also: Conviction vs condemnation_ The Holy Spirit’s specific, hopeful prompting to turn from a sin and back to God. It differs from condemnation, which is vague, crushing and says you are beyond help — and which Scripture says no longer applies to those in Christ. Key passage: Romans 8:1; John 16:8. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/why-do-i-keep-struggling-with-the-same-sin ## Daniel fast _Also: Partial fast_ A partial fast modelled on Daniel, who ate no choice food, meat or wine for three weeks while seeking God. Instead of giving up all food, you set aside certain foods for a set time. Key passage: Daniel 10:3. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-fast-as-a-christian ## Discipleship _Also: Making disciples_ Following Jesus as His apprentice and helping others do the same. Jesus’ final command was not to make converts but disciples who learn to obey everything He taught — and then make disciples themselves. Key passage: Matthew 28:19–20. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/the-great-commission-starts-on-your-street ## Fasting Going without food for a set time in order to seek God — hunger turned into prayer. Jesus spoke of it as an ordinary part of following Him and taught that it should be done quietly, before God rather than for an audience. Key passage: Matthew 6:16–18. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-fast-as-a-christian ## Forgiveness Releasing someone from the debt they owe you because God has released you from yours. It is a decision before it is a feeling, and it is not the same as trust or reconciliation, which may take longer. Key passage: Ephesians 4:32. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-forgive-someone-who-hurt-you ## Gospel _Also: The good news_ The good news that God made us for Himself; that we turned away and cannot fix it on our own; that Jesus lived the life we could not, died in our place and rose again; and that anyone who turns and trusts Him is forgiven and made new. Key passage: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-share-your-faith ## Grace God’s undeserved favour. Salvation is a gift received through faith, not a reward earned by effort — and grace is also the power that changes a believer over time, not a reason to stay the same. Key passage: Ephesians 2:8–9. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/what-it-means-to-be-reborn ## Great Commission Jesus’ final instruction to His followers: go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them. Acts 1:8 gives it a geography — starting where you are and moving outward to the ends of the earth. Key passage: Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/the-great-commission-starts-on-your-street ## Kingdom of God God’s rule and reign, made present through Jesus and growing wherever people live under Him. Seeking it first means letting His priorities order every area of life — including work, money and ambition. Key passage: Matthew 6:33. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/kingdom-business-your-work-is-not-separate-from-your-worship ## Koinonia _Also: Partnership in the gospel, Fellowship_ The Greek word for fellowship or shared ownership. Paul used it for the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel: they prayed, sent and gave, and so had a real share in the work and its fruit. Key passage: Philippians 1:5. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/partner-in-the-gospel-plunder-hell-populate-heaven ## Lament An honest prayer of grief or complaint brought to God rather than away from Him. Many psalms are laments — they prove you can tell God it feels like He is far away and still be praying in faith. Key passage: Psalm 13. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-pray-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say ## Oikos The Greek word for household — in the New Testament, the circle of family, friends, neighbours and co-workers God has already placed around you. It is the first and most natural mission field for most believers. Key passage: Mark 5:19. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/your-oikos-the-mission-field-youre-already-standing-in ## Renewing of the mind The ongoing process of replacing false beliefs with God’s truth so that thinking — and then living — is shaped by Him rather than by the pattern of the world. It is active and deliberate; nobody renews by accident. Key passage: Romans 12:2. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-renew-your-mind ## Repentance Turning from sin and toward God — a change of mind that becomes a change of direction. In the Bible it is not grovelling or self-punishment, but the doorway to being refreshed and restored. Key passage: Acts 3:19. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/why-do-i-keep-struggling-with-the-same-sin ## Revival A season when God renews His people and, through them, draws many who were far from Him into new life. Scripture shows it begins with God’s own people humbling themselves, praying and turning — not with the culture. Key passage: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Habakkuk 3:2. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/is-revival-coming-to-canada ## Sabbath A regular, deliberate day of rest that begins in creation, before any law. Jesus did not abolish it but reset its purpose: it was made for people, as a gift — stop, rest, delight, worship. Key passage: Genesis 2:2–3; Mark 2:27. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/is-the-sabbath-still-for-christians ## Sanctification The lifelong work of God making a believer more like Jesus. It is real but gradual — progress looks less like never struggling and more like turning back to God sooner and more honestly each time. Key passage: Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/why-do-i-keep-struggling-with-the-same-sin ## Spiritual disciplines _Also: Quiet time, Daily rhythm_ Practices like prayer, Scripture, rest, fasting and worship that put a believer where God has promised to meet them. They do not earn God’s love; they are the container grace fills. Key passage: 1 Timothy 4:7–8. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/daily-rhythm-that-survives-real-life ## Stewardship Managing what God has entrusted to you — time, body, money, gifts and influence — as His rather than your own. Faithfulness with a little is the training ground for more. Key passage: 1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 16:10. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-money ## Temple of the Holy Spirit Paul’s description of a believer’s body, because God’s Spirit lives in it. It makes physical health a matter of worship and stewardship — not vanity, punishment or comparison. Key passage: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/stewarding-the-temple-fitness-as-worship ## Tithe _Also: Tithing_ Giving a tenth of your income to God. Faithful Christians disagree on whether the Old Testament tithe binds believers today; the New Testament’s emphasis is generous, planned, proportional and cheerful giving. Key passage: Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-money ## Witness _Also: Evangelism, Sharing your faith_ Someone who tells the truth about what they have seen and experienced. Jesus calls His followers witnesses, not salespeople: the task is to speak honestly about Him, and the results belong to God. Key passage: Acts 1:8. Read more: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-share-your-faith