ARE YOU BORN AGAIN

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL, USA)

Have you ever stopped to analyze what the phrases "Born Again" actually means or refers too ? And how it has effected your life?

Historically speaking, Christianity has used this metaphor in describing one's spiritual regeneration, or gaining faith in Jesus Christ. Yes it is when Christianity, as one has been taught, suddenly becomes real, by experiencing a direct and personal relationship with God, through the a faith acceptance of God's free grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, the term "born again" could possibly be an alternative for the phrases "personal salvation".

This new birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17) (Titus 3:5) (1 Peter 1:3) (1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18).(John 1:12-13) The verses indicate that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is (John 3:1-21). The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions. And this term "born again" also became popular, in recent years among the news media, when a US president announced that he had been born again. Did they get it?

Actually, this particular phrases, of "being born again", was established way back in the book of Genesis, when mankind disobeyed God's commandment and committed the first sin (Genesis 3:1-7). As a result of this initial first sin, all mankind has been born in a stated of inherited sin (Romans 5:12). And the only way of correction is to be "born again". Or being "born from above"...To have a change of heart, a spiritual transformation.

In other words, man's spirit is dead in sin when we are born; that is, we are born void of God with an inherited sin nature from Adam. The only exception is the Lord Jesus Christ Who came as God in the flesh (1st Timothy 3:16). Our spirit is dead in trespasses and sin the Bible says...

In today's society the question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again? The apostle Paul explains this in (Ephesians 2:1) and (Romans 3:23).

And God gives us the choice of having this second birth, to be born again and to start a new life. This happens when a person willingly turns their back on sin (repents) and turns to Jesus for forgiveness and asks Him to be their Lord, that is, the boss of their life. The Spirit of God then enters the person to give them the power to start this new life. The person becomes a new creation in Christ and is Spiritually born into the family of God and so becomes a child of God. God sends His Holy Spirit to live within believers to give them power over their sinful nature so that they are able to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are freed from the power of sin and its penalty of hell and they are no longer slaves to their sinful nature (1 John 3:9).

The reason why one needs to be “spiritually” born is because they have never been spiritually born to begin with. So when the Bible speaks of being “born again,” it actually means “born for the second time.” You were born physically into this world, but you were born without the Spirit of God in your soul (spiritually dead). Yes, God created you, but He gave you a freewill to decide for yourself where you will spend eternity.

God never forces anyone to accept Jesus as their Savior. He simply offers a warm invitation to anyone who wants to have their sins forgiven and go to Heaven. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15; 6:23), paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19) ( Revelation 1:5). We must accept God's gift of eternal life or it WILL be forever forfeited when we leave this world (die).

You see, religion will not get anyone to heaven. Jesus said that He is the only way to heaven (John 14:6), and that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3). What about you, how do you stand with the living God ?