Cold Turkey

       Phrases often come into our lives and we use them without knowing where they came from.  I particularly love a cold turkey sandwich after Thanksgiving.  I put plenty of mayonnaise on it, salt and pepper, a couple slices of lettuce and of course, the cold turkey.  Then, I have found out that the term, "cold turkey" can also mean something quite different than a cold turkey sandwich.  In searching out the meaning of "cold turkey" I found that it was first used in an article in 1910 and one in 1920.  After that point, it became known as a person who was trying to kick a habit such as drugs or even computer applications of the present day.  Expressions are common in our language even in the spiritual realm.  One of our most famous expressions in Christian circles is that of being "born again" or even the word "Christian."  John 3:3 says, "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."  
      That was the original usage of the term, "born again."  Charles Colson wrote a book almost 2,000 years later and titled the book, "Born Again."  He used that title to describe what had taken place in his life and it was a true statement.  Now, however, the term "born again" is looked at perhaps a little differently especially by people who have no idea what being born again really is.  Believers know the act to which John was referring as he goes on to explain it in great detail.  The term "Christian" was also a new term that came about due to a group of people who were referred to as people of the "way."  This group of "disciples" was later called "Christian" and it was used first in the city of Antioch.  There was no mistaking what Jesus was telling Nicodemus on that night.  He told him that he had to be born again, that is, of God, from above.  The meaning had been set and now it was going to be used time after time as people actually were born from above.  When the Philippian Jailer came to Paul and Silas with the ultimate question, Paul and Silas gave him the simple answer.  The question, "What must I do to be saved." and Paul answered him, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ..."  The term, "saved" has become a synonym for "born again."  Praise God for giving us His instructions on how to find the way to heaven.