HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN
Some people say: "Why all this fuss about being born again?" "Why did
President Carter keep mentioning it?" Why did Charles Colson make a big thing
of it in his book? And why are so many others talking about it?
Nicodemus, who was a "ruler of the Jews" during Christ's day, came to Jesus
asking for advice. Jesus' simple answer: "Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
Some today, like Nicodemus, will ask, "How can a man be born again when he is
old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?" But
Jesus answers, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit," (John 3:4-6) stating again that one must
experience a spiritual rebirth in order to enter heaven - "YE MUST BE BORN
AGAIN." (John 3:7)
-A VERY PERSONAL QUESTION-
Now have you been born again? Have you experienced this spiritual rebirth?
This is the one thing, according to the Word of God, that will determine your
eternal destiny.
For those who really want to know how to be born again, here is the answer
from God's inerrant Word:
We must RECOGNIZE that FACT that we are sinners, that we've violated God's
laws (and we ALL have). God says, "ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY
OF GOD... THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE... THERE IS NOT A JUST MAN UPON
EARTH THAT DOETH GOOD AND SINNETH NOT... IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT SINNED, WE
MAKE HIM A LIAR, AND HIS WORD IS NOT IN US." (Romans 3:23,10; Eccl. 7:20; 1Jn
1:8, 10)
We must REPENT of our sins. The Bible says: God "commandeth all men everywhere
to repent." (Acts 17:30) Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish." (Luke 13:3)
It is not so difficult to repent when we pause to THINK of what our sins have
cost us, cost our friends, and cost our loved ones but, most of all, of what
they have cost GOD.
It was for our sins, yours and mine, that God, the CREATOR and KING of this
universe, left heaven and came to earth in the person of the Lord Jesus, to
suffer and bleed and die - that WE might be free.
"Hereby PERCEIVE we the love of God, because HE laid down HIS life of us." (I
John 3:16)
We must RECEIVE Christ INTO our hearts and lives as our PERSONAL Savior and
Lord. We can read in the first chapter of St. John, speaking of the Lord
Jesus:
"He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him
not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as
RECEIVED Him, to THEM gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on His name." (John 1:10-13)
-THE PROMISE OF GOD-
The moment we open our hearts to the Lord Jesus, and place our complete trust
in Him, and Him alone, as our Savior, God promises to forgive our sins, save
our soul, and reserve for us a home in heaven so that, on the authority of the
Word of God, we can KNOW where we'll spend eternity. God says:
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of
God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." (I John 5:13) Jesus
promises:
"He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting
life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto
life." (John 5:24)
You can be born again SIMPLY by praying and asking Jesus Christ to work this
miracle in your life. You can do it AT THIS MOMENT. Although it is your
HEART'S attitude that counts, here's a suggested prayer that may guide you:
Jesus, I am willing to repent of my sins and receive you as Saviour. I want to
put you in charge of my life. Thank you, God, for making me a new creature.
-JUST IN CASE-
If you are thinking about NOT making the decision, consider this final word.
God isn't someone or something you should try to explain away... or even
pretend He isn't there, that He isn't important! Instead, why not reach out
and commit yourself to HIM completely? Pray the prayer mentioned above. MEAN
it.
Just like that - you will be BORN AGAIN, and you will began an exciting,
eternal odyssey. One that can take you through the pressures of this life like
nothing you've ever tried before.