What does it mean to be a born-again Christian?
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.
As Jesus
talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the
kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is
old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s
womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the
kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to
flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my
saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3-7).
The
phrase "born again" literally means "born from above."
Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual
transformation. 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 indicates that
being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children
of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.
The
question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?"
The apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you He made alive, who were
dead in trespasses and sins" (NKJV). To the Romans he wrote, "For all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sinners are
spiritually “dead”; when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ,
the Bible likens it to a rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins
forgiven and have a relationship with God.
How does
that come to be? Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by
works, so that no one can boast." When one is saved, he/she has been born
again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth.
Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on
the cross, is the means to be "born again." "Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has
come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
If you
have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider
the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need to be
born again. Will you pray the prayer of repentance and become a new creation in
Christ today? "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural
descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God" (John
1:12-13).
If you
want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be born again, here is a sample
prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It
is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a
way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your
salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of
punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through
faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank
You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness—the gift of eternal life!
Amen!"
Have you
made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please
click on the "I have accepted Christ today" button below.
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