Born Again

Now that we’ve been born again, we’re saved from the penalty of sin, I have talked about that a lot here lately, but its a must to understand that there is a sin debt to pay, Rom.6: 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But we that are saved from this debt of death have gladly received the death of Jesus on the cross as payment for our sin, He died in our place, he is our substitute

So being born again places the centerpiece of religion on how our standing is with God and gives us a righteousness that comes from God, instead of our efforts and achievement. It is a righteousness that comes by faith, not legalistic obedience.

Jesus explains to Nicodemus that faith was not about believing what might seem to be the right things pertaining to man standards, or obeying religious rules, but it was a right relationship with God.

And this can only happen when a spiritual birth takes place and redirects our love and commitment away from ourselves and toward God.

No one will ever go to heaven because they have done all the right things.

~How does anybody know when he or she has done enough anyway? ~

God has revealed his truth in the Scriptures, but because of our fallen nature, we don’t fully understand all the ways of God at this time, like we will one day.

ISA. 55: 8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Nicodemus knew the Scripture; and from what the bible tells us about him, he was a very moral person. But there was something more important that he needed.

He didn’t need a more correct belief system, and he didn’t need to observe new moral rules. He needed an inner transformation. He needed to give up his self-righteousness and receive the righteousness that comes from God.

The apostle Paul wrote: Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Paul told what the problem of the Pharisees was, he knew because he was at one time a Pharisee himself. he knew that rules and regulations was not the answer. Romans 10:3 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Paul, when he was Saul, had tried himself to be perfect in legalistic righteousness and correct beliefs, so he knew better than anyone that it didn’t work.

In the 9th chapter of Acts we have the record of Saul’s conversion:** 1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,* whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.