What It Is To Be Born Again
by Roxanne
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23 At the moment of being born again, the Bible tells us that a person's sins are cast "as far as the east is from the west". That means that every wrong and evil deed that was done before that moment of genuine repentance is cast away and no longer held against him. It is the beginning of a whole new life (hence the term "born again") because the old life is at that point done away with, and a new life in Christ is begun.
A man named Nicodemus asked Jesus about being born again. "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 mother's 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 kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:1-7
When a baby is born, there is new life. The baby has no criminal record, no past history, no anything! His life is new and innocent. Nicodemus had already been born naturally just as we all have, but Jesus said to him, you must be born again! Like Nicodemus many say, "how can I be born again, when I've already been born?" Nicodemus was thinking of a new natural birth, but Jesus was talking about a Spiritual birth. Every person has been born naturally, but only few have been born spiritually.
In many places the Bible speaks of the "old man" and the "new man". The term "old man" is any person's life that has not been born again, and is, therefore under the bondage and control of Satan. The old man has a selfish, sinful nature, because he has not received the new life that Christ gives. The "new man" is someone who has been born again, and has been given a new nature in Christ. He no longer lives to please self, but lives to please God. Every person either is, or was at one time in their life the "old man".
The Bible says, "No man can serve two masters...", and you cannot live the life of the old man and the new man at the same time. There is only one solution for the old man, and that is death. "Knowing this, that our old man (old life) is crucified with him (Christ), that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead (to the old man) is freed from sin." Romans 6:6-7 So we see that when the old life is put to death (crucified), the new life can begin! "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2
In crucifying the old man, the individual must confess and repent of all sin. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." Acts 3:19 The sin nature that came upon mankind when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden was passed on to all people. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 Sin is an abominable thing in the eyes of God, and the Bible tells us that He is "angry with the wicked every day." Psalm 7:11 In Ezekiel 18:20a it says, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die.." The blood of Christ was shed to purge us from the old life of sin and death to "walk in newness of life" Romans 6:4 Jesus Christ is life, and the Bible also says that "In Him was life; and the life (His life) was the light of men." John 1:4 The life of Christ shines a light on the unrighteous souls of men and women, revealing how much we are not like Him. Our only hope is to turn from sin and to Christ!
Jesus Said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15 When the Bible uses the word "repent" it means to "turn from". To truly repent is to not only feel sorry for the unrighteous acts committed against God, but it is to recognize of the wrong done in the life of the individual, due to a separation by sin from Christ, and to turn away from that sin to live a life that is pleasing to God. It is changing from living contrary to the Bible, to living according to the Bible.The person who repents with genuine remorse and sorrow for the evil deeds committed against God will not reluctantly give up his old life of sin, but will do so willingly. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3 The reason why it is "not grievous" for a true Christian to keep the commandments of God is because of his love for God and the Truth. In fact, a true Christian will see the sin as grievous and the commandments of God a delight! This is because when a person is born again, he is a completely "new man" free from sin. If you are not born again, you are not a Christian.
There is indeed no hope for any person apart from salvation through Jesus Christ. When sin is removed, and the commandments of God are earnestly observed and kept, we have fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. To born again Christians he says, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation (atonement, sacrifice) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." 1 John 2:1-6 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 As long as we walk in the light of Christ, and follow His steps, his blood cleanses us.
When Jesus was on earth for 33 years before He was crucified, He lived a perfect, sinless, righteous life. He came to earth because of the great love wherewith He loves us. He came to lay down His life, and die the death meant for the vilest, most miserable sinners. "He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" 2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus was the only person that walked on the earth that was completely sinless. Mary (the mother of Jesus), and the apostles were also sinners, and needed a Saviour just as much as we do today. The Bible tells us that, "there is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10
When a person genuinely repents of sin and gives everything (their whole entire life) unto God, it is here where there is a change which cannot be accomplished by any human efforts. We are indeed utterly hopeless without Him, but with Him we have the greatest of hope! "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. " Titus 3 5-7 Also, Romans 5:1 and 2 says "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
As a Christian, Christ dwells in the heart, and lives through the believer. The Bible says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5 If His mind is in us, we will be like Him. In essence it is yielding to Him and desiring Him to live His life through you.
From that moment of genuine conversion onward, it all depends upon our obedience to His Word and our unhindered fellowship with Him. Christ must continually be kept in the forefront of the actions, thoughts, and motives of the individual. He must be our all in all! You've heard people say, a "Christian" is someone who is Christ-like. Indeed this is true, but how can we be like someone we don't even really know? When you truly know someone, you know their likes and dislikes, their character, and what they delight in. The apostle Paul expressed such a desire "to know Him". Not just an acquaintance, but to truly know Him. The only way to achieve this is in fellowship with Him through prayer, reading the Bible, and submitting our life to Him. A right relationship with Christ is maintained by a continual giving and receiving of life. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18
"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him." 1 John 3:1-6 "
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. " Romans 10:9-11
Only Trust Him
by John H. Stockton, 1813-1877
Verse 1
Come, ev'ry soul by sin oppressed
There's mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.
Chorus
Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.
Verse 2
For Jesus shed His precious blood,
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washes white as snow.
Verse 3
Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay
And you are fully blest.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 3:5-6
I Am Coming, Lord
by Lewis Hartsough, 1828-1919
Verse 1
I hear Thy welcome voice,
That calls me, Lord, To Thee
For cleansing in Thy precious blood
That flowed on calvary
Chorus
I am Coming, Lord!
Coming not to Thee!
Wash me, cleanse me in the blood
That flowed on Calvary!
Verse 2
Tho' coming weak and vile,
Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou dost my vileness fully cleanse,
Till spotless all and pure.
Verse 3
'Tis Jesus calls me on
To perfect faith and love,
To perfect hope, and peace, and trust,
For earth and heav'n above.
