Who is really a "Born Again"?
Dear Saints:
We continue our in-depth study of John 3. Today, we encounter Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, a Pharisee (the “far you see” from God). We also encounter a word from Jesus’ mouth, “born again”. The phrase “born again” has taken a beaten and caricature in the American culture and all over the world. People will say, “Oh, you are one of those “born again”; as if there is another type or two types of Christians. There is only one type of Christian – a born again Christian, regardless of your church denomination.
On the other, some have taken"Born again" to be a title they wear without knowing what it means or being one themselves.
Hear from Jesus directly. “3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8.
Maybe you have never considered yourself a born again or you have never really been born again. Have you believed and received Jesus Christ according to John 1:11-13? “11 He came to His [c]own, and His [d]own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”.
You must believe and receive (accept) Jesus as the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life giver because of His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection from the grave.
Yes, our sins are paid for and forgiven forever because of and at the cross of Christ. Since we all have sinned, we all deserve God’s punishment but now, we are saved from everlasting separation from God (aka hell). Through Christ, we have been reconciled to God and now His adopted children. What a joy to live for and with God.
Have you been “born of the Spirit”? Have you been born “of God”? “No one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 (AMP). Ask God right now to grant you His grace and His Holy Spirit to know Him.
You cannot make anyone a Christian. Only God, by the power of the Holy, through the Gospel (Romans 1:16), become believers in Christ. For by grace, we have been saved through faith in Christ. It is a gift and it is never earned by good works (see Ephesians 2:8-10).
Don’t “religious” like Nicodemus was initially. Be “born again” as Nicodemus later became. He was one of those who buried Jesus because he had come to love Christ, seeing how much Christ loved Him and all the people of the world.
Today, let’s go rejoicing because our names are written in Heaven and let’s go telling others of this great news of new life in Christ. Who will you pray for and tell today of Jesus Christ, crucified for their sins?
Love someone today by introducing them to the grace of God and let us be gracious to all. Forgive!
Lord, empower us today by your Holy Spirit to live for you and be your witness forever. Amen.
We continue our in-depth study of John 3. Today, we encounter Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, a Pharisee (the “far you see” from God). We also encounter a word from Jesus’ mouth, “born again”. The phrase “born again” has taken a beaten and caricature in the American culture and all over the world. People will say, “Oh, you are one of those “born again”; as if there is another type or two types of Christians. There is only one type of Christian – a born again Christian, regardless of your church denomination.
On the other, some have taken"Born again" to be a title they wear without knowing what it means or being one themselves.
Hear from Jesus directly. “3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8.
Maybe you have never considered yourself a born again or you have never really been born again. Have you believed and received Jesus Christ according to John 1:11-13? “11 He came to His [c]own, and His [d]own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”.
You must believe and receive (accept) Jesus as the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life giver because of His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection from the grave.
Yes, our sins are paid for and forgiven forever because of and at the cross of Christ. Since we all have sinned, we all deserve God’s punishment but now, we are saved from everlasting separation from God (aka hell). Through Christ, we have been reconciled to God and now His adopted children. What a joy to live for and with God.
Have you been “born of the Spirit”? Have you been born “of God”? “No one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 (AMP). Ask God right now to grant you His grace and His Holy Spirit to know Him.
You cannot make anyone a Christian. Only God, by the power of the Holy, through the Gospel (Romans 1:16), become believers in Christ. For by grace, we have been saved through faith in Christ. It is a gift and it is never earned by good works (see Ephesians 2:8-10).
Don’t “religious” like Nicodemus was initially. Be “born again” as Nicodemus later became. He was one of those who buried Jesus because he had come to love Christ, seeing how much Christ loved Him and all the people of the world.
Today, let’s go rejoicing because our names are written in Heaven and let’s go telling others of this great news of new life in Christ. Who will you pray for and tell today of Jesus Christ, crucified for their sins?
Love someone today by introducing them to the grace of God and let us be gracious to all. Forgive!
Lord, empower us today by your Holy Spirit to live for you and be your witness forever. Amen.
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