BORN AGAIN
What does it mean?
Many of us do not seem to have a clear idea of what a CHRISTIAN
really is. Generally, we think there is a set of rules which, if kept
faithfully, will make a person a CHRISTIAN. Some of us feel that if
our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds, God will "let" us into heaven.
In the BIBLE certain words are used in connection with being a
CHRISTIAN that should be defined so everyone will know exactly what it
means to become a CHRISTIAN.
Have you ever heard the word CONVERTED? This means to "turn around"
We are going in one direction and by what the BIBLE calls REPENTANCE,
we turn and go in the opposite direction. By nature EVERYONE is going
the wrong way - the way of sin - and we must be "turned around", or
CONVERTED. There are two BIBLE verses that show this very clearly.
JEREMIAH 10:23 says, "I know that the way of man is not in himself: it
is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." And Matthew 18:3
tells us, "Except ye be CONVERTED, and become as little children, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Sometimes we talk about being SAVED. What does this mean? To be
saved means to be rescued from what we are in our old sinful nature,
and to be made what God wants us to be, so that before HIM we are
without sin. JESUS said that He came "to seek and to save that which
was lost" (LUKE 19:10). His part in redemption was to pay the price of
sin, and our part is to place our confidence and trust in HIM as our
personal SAVIOR. When we do this, we can claim GOD'S promise that "In
(Him) we have redemption ... even the forgiveness of sins." (Ephesians
1:7)
Another phrase found in the Bible is that of being BORN AGAIN. In
the third chapter of JOHN, JESUS said, "Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he
cannot see the kingdom of God" (verse 3). What did JESUS mean by that?
We respond and act like human beings because we received a human
nature from our parents. So, to have the nature that acts according to
the will of God, we must be BORN into HIS family and receive HIS
nature. This is exactly what happens when we are BORN AGAIN. We are
placed into God's family; we are made HIS children. The BIBLE says it
this way: "Therefore if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things become new" (II
Corinthians 5:17)
Now, let's discuss the words RECEIVING CHRIST. To receive something
means to take, to accept, to trust in, or to believe. In the CHRISTIAN
life it means to accept SOMEONE; and that ONE, of course, is JESUS
CHRIST, God's Son. You heard the invitation of the Lord, "Come unto
me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
(Matthew 11:28), you turned from your sinful way (repentance) and you
received JESUS CHRIST as your PERSONAL Savior.
It is amazing how many take second best. We have asked some, "Are
you a CHRISTIAN? Are you SAVED? Have you ever been BORN AGAIN? Have
you ever RECEIVED CHRIST?" And they have answered, "Well, I belong to
a church ... I do as many good things as I can ... I think I am as
good as anybody ... I must be saved!"
Going to church, being good and doing good deeds are fine, but
these things do not give ETERNAL LIFE. The Bible teaches that to be
SAVED - to be a CHRISTIAN, to be BORN AGAIN, to be CONVERTED - YOU
MUST RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR from YOUR sin. HE is the ONE who
died for us (Romans 5:6). HE is the ONE who LIVES in heaven and speaks
to GOD on our behalf EVERY day (I Timothy 2:5).
Suppose an angel should SUDDENLY stand before you and ask, "Are you
ready to meet GOD?" What would YOUR answer be?
If you are not CERTAIN, invite JESUS CHRIST into your heart and
life RIGHT NOW. Make CERTAIN that YOU know what it means to be a
CHRISTIAN.
You can pray a prayer RIGHT NOW to do just THAT, by repeating the
following prayer and meaning it in your heart. It doesn't matter if
you close your eyes or not, God only wants your heart to be true:
"Dear Father, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness.
I believe that Christ died for my sin. I am willing to trun from my
sins. I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as
my Personal Savior. I am willing, by God's grace, to follow and obey
Christ as the Lord of my life."
If you prayed this prayer, let us know, please leave us a comment
the next time you call SMCIS or drop your name and address in the
mail. We would like to mail you a few things to get you started
in you new life.
THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MINISTRY OF:
SOUTHERN MARYLAND CHRISTIAN INFORMATION SERVICE BBS (SMCIS)
SMCIS
P.O.BOX 463
California, MD 20619
Modem 301/862-3160
300 - 2400
SYSOP: Buggs Bugnon
FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT
OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
OUR LORD. Romans 6:23
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