What it means to be born again
John 3:1-7
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 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. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mothers womb and be born? Jesus answered Verily verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdome of Heaven. That witch is born of the flesh is flesh, and that witch is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say unto thee ye must be born again.
In this day and age the term born again is used much top loosely. There are a lot of people who say they are born again, they truly think they are born again, but the fact of the matter is they really don’t know what the term means.
There are certain attributes possessed by those who are truly born again. You are only born again after you have been redeemed, and this only through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Man was separated and alienated from God in the garden, because of his sin in disobeying the one rule God had set for them. Through Jesus Christ sacrificing his life on the cross to pay the debt for mans sin, our fellowship with God can now be restored. We have been redeemed from the death sentence we had condemned ourselves to.
Now we can come to Christ in repentance, excepting him as our Lord and savior. Following his example of baptism and infilling of the spirit. Then we can truly say we are born again.
When we are born again we can know without a doubt we are received into the Kingdom of God.
Rom. 8:17 And if children then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Born again Christians still make mistakes, but they have an advocate to the father through Jesus Christ. They will find forgiveness and will not be rejected, or disinherited by God.
When we are Born again we are received, accepted, and loved into the family of God. Only the children of God can feel the warmth and security that comes by being Born again.
The person who is truly born again will live a life that has been reformed by the Holy Spirit of God.
2 Cor. 5:17 If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things as passed away, behold all things are become new.
A person who clams to be Born again, but continues in the same sinful lifestyle that they have always lived is only fooling themselves.
When we are Born again we are no longer slaves to sin and the things of this world. We are set free by the grace of God.
John 8:36 If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Some people clam to be Born again, but they are bound to this world by the things of social pressure. The opinions of friends and family, and things that they simply refuse to let go of. They try to hold to God with one hand and to the world with the other.
( straddling the fence never saved anybody )
Matt 6:24 No man can serve two masters. For ether he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other, ye cannot serve God and mammon.
When a person makes a commitment to be born again. They are changed, washed, set free, and are able to rejoice in the lord forever.
Finally those who are Born again, will receive the reward that God has for all those who endure to the end.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer, behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried. And ye shall have tribulation ten days, be thou faithful unto death, and I will give the a crown of life
