What it Means to be "Born Again"

What it Means to be “Born Again”

When are born into this world by a ‘water birth.’ We were conceived and grew inside of our mother’s womb in a sack containing amniotic fluid (or ‘water’). The sack broke open; we were delivered out of that “hidden world” into the world outside. That was our first birth. Sadly, for most souls, it is the only birthdate they can claim. We entered this world corrupt and sinful, “lost” and headed to the dreadful, ever-tormenting, endlessly fiery place called Hell full of those eternally dying.

Being born again is the work of the Holy Spirit of God and a supernatural birth “from above” referred to as being “born of the Spirit” of God. It is the action of regeneration and a born-again believer will have a new nature with new principles, affections, and aims in this life ¹(Matthew Henry). It is a turning away from sin with a turning to God by agreeing with Him that we (and I include myself) are by nature sinners – we are sinners. It is the Holy Spirit Whose presence is in all the earth and you feel a “tug” on your heart while being exposed to the Gospel, you are experiencing the Holy Spirit drawing you to God.

Being born again does not mean you stop being a sinner; however, God sees you differently – not “not guilty” of sins because of Christ’s blood atonement, for He suffered our guilt and punishment. The daily battle continues against that sinful nature until the day of physical death. The difference in the life of a born-again believer is of having a personal relationship with God, available only through Christ Jesus, which affords the privilege of immediate access to Him through prayer and forgiveness all day every day. Christian liberty is another topic study; however, to be born again does not give “liberty” to sin freely and at will. God expects refrain from sin to the utmost of our ability. Though we may slip – He will catch us when we repent. One who is born again can know that all past sin has been forgiven, present and future will be as He is faithful and just to forgive.

Adam and Eve were coerced by Satan to go against God’s (their Creator and Father) command. They “fell” out of fellowship with God through their action of disobedience; hence the “fallen nature of man.” We are descendants of the same Adam and Eve. Like our greatest grandparents, God has also given us free will. We are free to make our own decisions – be they right or wrong. We are also born with that nature to go against God and commit sin against Him. Therefore, we must be reconciled (born again) to Him if we want to see, let alone enter, the kingdom of Heaven. Being born again is also referred to the act of reconciliation or restoration. It is each individual’s choice to remain lost (unsaved) or born again (saved). The Holy Spirit will gradually change a person from the heart out.

So, What must you do to be born again?

~ Get personal with and agree with God about your sins by admitting to Him you are a sinner and guilty of it:

Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:”

You must be sorrowful and truly repent!

~ Grasp the reality that punishment is eternal separation from God in Hell and the Lake of Fire:

Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death;”

Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

“Second death” ~ banishment by God into Hell, eternally separated from Him and Heaven with no way of escape. It is everlasting and unending torture.

~ Realize God’s Son Jesus Christ paid your sin debt in full:

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

~ Know that it is only through Jesus Christ that the free gift of salvation can be yours:

Romans 6:23b “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

~ You must believe in Christ and ask Him to be your Saviour:

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

~ You must truly repent and believe:

Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

It is vital to repent. God, Who is omniscient, knows your heart and your motives. He cannot be fooled.

If you choose to be “born again” you can say a simple “sinner’s prayer” to ask Jesus Christ for your free gift of salvation:

Dear God,

I admit I am a sinner, sincerely repent of my sins, and ask for Your forgiveness please. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died for me and ask You, Jesus, to be my Savior.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

If you indeed have been "born again" you now have a "spiritual birthday" - it is the date and time you sincerely repented and believed. 

Word Study ~ "Regeneration"

“Regeneration” is the act/experience of being spiritually restored to God. The most common terms used are “saved” and “born again.” Regeneration is a gift of God. It is an extremely personal occurrence between an individual and the living God of Creation.

Other terminology: New birth, restoration, renewed, reborn

The act of “regeneration” cannot be obtained through that of bloodlines, union of parents, or of a wealthy or powerful ancestry, nor does ascribing to any religion. It is not an entitlement. Man does not have the power through his own fleshly will to bring salvation (regeneration) to himself or give it to another. Man must of his own free will desire to be born of God (“born again”). Man’s heart is and “enemy of the spirit” and throughout the Holy Scriptures is shamefully and naturally corrupt. There is absolutely nothing man can do of his own accord that can merit the gift of salvation or “new birth.” All men are of one blood (descendants of Adam) being tainted with sin, having no influence on regeneration. Man’s blood is of no value for salvation. It is only through the blood of Christ, which cleanses of all sin that regeneration happens. God, through prescribing salvation by Christ Jesus alone, gifts this new birth “through His will, His own unlimited power, and boundless mercy!”

All that believe in the name of Christ are regenerated [born again/saved] and quickened [given life] by the Spirit [Holy Spirit] and grace of God [favor/blessing] partaking of divine nature and are made “new creatures.” This is the evidence of being a son of God [adopted by God through restoration/regeneration].

Therefore, those who have believed on the name of Jesus Christ have not become sons of God (born again) by the blood of their ancestry, nor by the will of a man and woman in sexual relations, nor by the desire to adopt a child; Nor, is it just knowing Him in their mind, but that of knowing Him in their heart – the most inner part of a person’s soul – and, that of God knowing that man or woman personally through adoption into the family of God through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ who paid for their adoption on Calvary.

Scripture Passages:

John 3:1 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:”

John 3:2 “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.”

John 3:3 “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.” (my emphasis)

John 3:4 “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?”

John 3:5 “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.” (my emphasis)

John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

John 3:7 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (my emphasis)

We are spiritual beings. One of the great mysteries is that of having a physical body with a spirit living in it. Your body is not your soul or spirit – they are separate. The body will die, the spirit lives for eternity.

The result of sin has every person estranged from God from the moment of conception. We are not born innocent, but guilty. Adam and Eve were created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26a “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”) and enjoyed a free and sinless life, actually walking with God in their presence in the Garden. But, because of Adam’s sin of disobedience (he also took of the fruit to eat) in the Garden of Eden (Adam sinned, Eve was beguiled), all descendants (everyone soul who has or will be born) are tainted with Adam’s likeness (Genesis 5:3 “And Adam…begat a son in his own likeness, after his image,” – a sinful nature, also referred to as the “Adamic” nature). We are all guilty of sin and having our backs naturally turned to the living God and remain that way (*“lost” and dying) until we choose of our own free will to be restored to God. We must do this on His terms - His way. All roads may lead to Rome – but there is only ONE Way to have the privilege of seeing or entering the kingdom of God. “Regeneration” is of utmost necessity if one desires to enter and see the kingdom of God.

*“Lost” is a term to be understood in order to understand why “regeneration” is required.

~ Other terminology: Misplaced, disoriented, confused, missing, gone astray, wasted

Prior to spiritual regeneration man is misplaced from God, disoriented and confused regarding salvation, are missing and will remain absent from His presence, are gone astray regarding the need of their eternal soul for salvation, and will be wasted for all eternity if they do not exercise their free will and accept God’s gift of salvation purchased through the blood of His Son, at the urging (feeling that heart tug) of the Holy Spirit.

Christ Jesus was born into this world for one reason – to die – for you. He came to seek you out and to save you from an eternity in the Lake of Fire.

~ Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Study ~ John 1:13

John 1:13 “Which were born [through spiritual regeneration, those who were literally begotten of God], not of blood [not of human generation, descent, or in any manner of way of man], nor of the will of the flesh [not by natural regeneration], nor of the will of man [man’s desire in adopting a child], but of God [of God the Father of Christ, and of the Spirit’s grace].”

John 1:12 told us that people had “received” Jesus Christ as their Savior. They had experienced the “new birth,” a spiritual birth (begotten of God), not a physical birth. The words, “were born,” describe the precise beginning of a believer’s new spiritual life, being born of the Spirit (John 3:6). Until one is “born of the Spirit” he is “dead” in sin (Ephesians 2:1). A person truly begins to live after experiencing the new birth (regeneration).

A spiritual birth has absolutely nothing to do with influences from man albeit physically, genetically, emotionally, or through his own power. The Jewish nation was proud of being Abraham’s descendants (Matthew 3:9); however, the “law of Christ’s Kingdom” is very different from that supposition (1 Peter 1:23). Ancestry and bloodlines have no influence nor do they draw any entitlement to God’s favor. It is necessary to be “born of God” by regeneration (rebirth). The praise of God draws favor from Him, not praise of men.

Regeneration does not occur by man’s free will but is attributed to the power and will of God. Free will is enmity (hatred/hostility) to God, is carnal, corrupt, and powerless to all that is spiritually good. People cannot become God’s child through their own power (Romans 10:1-3; James 1:18), nor can they “will” that others become “regenerated” (spiritually born again). Grace is God’s to extend to man individually. A person’s heart can only be changed by the power of God, the Absolutely Divine One, by His Spirit. He makes the spiritual change and awards the privilege of being adopted by Him (John 3:6-8).

Man must desire to use his free will to become a “believer” and to accept the grace of God and gift of His salvation. One must strive to enter in at the strait gate.

Passages:

John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened [gave life], who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Matthew 3:9 “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”

1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

Romans 10:1-3 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

James 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

John 3:6-8 (6) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

(List Author Unknown):

1) To be saved, we must be born again

2) Salvation is not the result of physical birth, ancestry, nationality, status, or religion

3) To be saved, one must be born of God

4) One cannot go to heaven simply because their ‘parent(s)’ are Christians

5) No one can acquire salvation for another person; it is the work of God

6) All human dependence and confidence in the flesh should be forsaken. If one desires of their own free will to be saved, they should go immediately to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and implore God to adopt them into his family and save their soul from eternal death.  The Father of Christ, God, “begets to a lively hope (1 Peter 1:3); and of the Son, quickens whom He will (Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5); and of the grace of the Spirit, generally is credited with the regeneration (Titus 3:5). Through God confidence is man’s to have to not be ashamed in His presence when He returns (I John 2:28-29).

Passages for above:

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

I Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Ephesians 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Titus 3:5 “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;”

1John 2:28-29 (28) “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (29) If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”

Study - Personalities of God - Part 1 - Creator, Giver, and Sustainer of Life

Key Verse:

Job 33:4 “The ¹Spirit of God ²hath made me, and the ³breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

Note 1:

“Spirit of God” – the Holy Spirit (the Third Person of the Trinity – God is a triune being)

Reference: Psalm 51:11, 12 “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (12) “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

- The Holy Spirit, being the Third Person of the Trinity is the One Who is present in Believer’s hearts (sent as the Comforter after Jesus’ resurrection) after a person receives the salvation gift from God

- Believers should not grieve the Holy Spirit to cause Him to withdraw His presence from their lives

Reference: Job 32:8 “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”

- Upon repentance and acceptance of God’s gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit helps Believers to understand the Word of God in order to apply it to their lives

- Also, the Holy Spirit is the Person of the Trinity that convicts sinners of their need to repent of sin and accept Jesus Christ as their Personal Saviour

Note 2:

Reference: Genesis 1:2 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

- “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” - The Holy Spirit was actively involved in Creation

Reference: Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

- God is the Creator – He created man and woman (and each child conceived), Giver (He breathed life into Adam, Eve and each person, and Sustainer of Life (He controls all that has been Created)

Note 3:

Reference: Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

- Without His breath, man would not and cannot live

Reference: Job 27:3 “All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;”

- God is the Sustainer of life Who gives us our very breath, and the One who created and provides the oxygen to breathe.