BEING BORN AGAIN
A man named Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night. Maybe he was afraid of criticism, or he wanted a private conversation with Jesus, or maybe Nicodemus wanted to know more before committing himself to Jesus. Nicodemus came and asked Jesus some questions.
“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:7)
Nicodemus must have been surprised when Jesus said, “You must be born again.” It would not seem a surprise if Jesus had said that to the tax collector, the thief on the cross, or the woman caught in adultery. But Nicodemus was one of the known religious leaders of his time, but he was still searching for the truth.
Have you been born again? Has it happened to you? Have you made Jesus your Lord and Savior? Does Jesus live in your heart? Do you really know it? Many people have thought about it but never made a commitment. Are you committed to Jesus?
You may even go to church, but maybe you are still searching. There is still an empty place in your heart, and something inside tells you that you are not right with God.
Even Nicodemus fasted two days a week and spent two hours every day in prayer. Nicodemus tithed. Why did Jesus say that He must be born again? Because Jesus could read the heart of Nicodemus. He saw that Nicodemus had covered himself with religion but had not found a relationship with God.
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” (Matthew 15:18)
Jesus said the problem is in our hearts; our hearts need to be changed.
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)
The Bible says all unrighteousness is sin, and before we can get to heaven, we must have righteousness. God says to be perfect as He is perfect, holy as He is holy.
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
How can you get that perfection? We do not have it now, but we can not get to heaven if we do not have it. That is why Jesus died on the cross. Jesus shed His blood and rose again to provide righteousness for us.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” (Romans 5:12)
Every person needs a change in their life. We need to have our sins forgiven. We need to be covered in God's righteousness. To find fulfillment in our lives, we need to find something to commit to. Are you a committed person? What are you committed to? Why not make Jesus your cause and follow Him? Jesus will never let you down.
Some people ask the question: What is being born again? Nicodemus asked a similar question, too: “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus wanted to understand it. He could see only the physical and the material, but Jesus was talking about the spiritual.
“not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5)
We can not work our way to God. The Bible says that salvation comes not by what we do, but because of God’s righteousness and mercy and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many of us changed on the outside to conform to social standards around us or behavior that is expected of us from our family or church, but deep inside, we have never been changed. That is exactly what Jesus was talking about to Nicodemus. Jesus said, “Nicodemus, you need changing inside,” and only the Holy Spirit can accomplish that.
Being born from God is a supernatural act. The Holy Spirit convicts each of us of our sin. He interrupts us because we have sinned against God. Then He regenerates us. That is what happens when we are born again. The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts to help us in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit gives us assurance, gives us joy, produces fruit in our lives, and teaches us the Bible.
“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Jesus says that we all must be born again. But how do we really become born again? By repenting of our sin and being willing to change the way we are living.
Just say to God right now:
“Heavenly Father, I am a sinner, and I am sorry. I want to make Jesus the Lord of my life, In Jesus’ Name. Amen”
It is that simple. Then by faith, we receive Jesus as Lord of our lives. We are willing to follow Jesus and start a new life of obedience to Him, in which the Holy Spirit will help us as we read the Bible, pray, and witness to others.
If there is a doubt in your mind about whether you have been born again, now it will be settled because the Bible tells us that now is the accepted time, today is the day of your salvation.
Is there doubt in your mind about being born again?
Heavenly Father, Your Word says, For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. I realize my need of my Savior. I know it is not by works of righteousness which I have done, but according to Your mercy, You saved me, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and now I am in the family of You, God. I know Your Holy Spirit, now lives in me to lead and guide me into all truth. You are there as my all in all. I honor You as my Heavenly Father, and I will listen and obey Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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The Holy Spirit Convicts Each Of Us Of Our Sin. He Interrupts Us Because We Have Sinned Against God. Then He Regenerates Us. That Is What Happens When We Are Born Again.
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