Startled by the new concept being introduced by the man he believed was sent from God, the curious Pharisee asked “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” The master’s answer in verses 5-8 of John Chapter 3 probably got the old Pharisee the more confused as he exclaimed “How can these things be?”
Like Nicodemus, many are confused and uncertain about what it means to be born again and how a man can be born again today. It is sad that some acclaimed Christians in which some are even ‘workers’ in their local assemblies, are not sure of their salvation. While some are ‘trying to’ be born again, others are ‘asking for the grace to’ make heaven.
But if we will clearly look into the Scriptures with an open mind and reason along with the written word, we will not have much trouble understanding the mind of God. This new concept of ‘getting born again’ introduced by our Lord Jesus Christ was also explained by Him as to what it is and how it can be attained.
“Verily verily I say unto you, 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“. John 3:5-6. In other words, the master is saying that getting born again is a spiritual birth, not a physical one. That is the number one point.
Now, how can a sinner get born again? The master went on to explain it.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up (i.e. He will die for the sin of the world on the cross); that whosoever believes in Himshould not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life…He that believes on Him is not condemned. John 3:14-18.
Can you observe the repeated phrase in Jesus’ statement above? Whosoever believes in Him!!!
Let’s consider some other verses of the Scriptures where the issue of born again is discussed.
“He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even unto them that believe on His name…which were born of God (born again)”. John 1:11-13.
We can see clearly that to be born again is to be born of God (born of the Spirit). It is because we are born of God that we are called the sons of God, Halleluiah!
“Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” 1 John 5:1
This is a straight to the point statement by Apostle John.
When the keeper of the prison where Paul and Silas were kept wanted to make this necessary decision, he asked “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas answered him “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.” Acts 16:30, 31.
Lastly, let’s consider Romans chapter 10. “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (born again). Verse 9.
The new birth comes to anyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s only sacrifice for sin and confess (receive) Him to be the Lord of his life. For making such decision, a hitherto sinner receives a new spirit from God and as he submit to the Lordship (authority) of Jesus Christ through His word, he experiences a new life called Eternal life (Zoe)-The Life of God.
(Further Scriptural references: Hebrews 3:18-19, Heb. 4:2-3, 6, And 11).
– segun eshorun
One of the greatest tragedies of the 21st century is that most believers are not living their dreams. They are actively pursuing the dreams of a few men. Many a times when I discuss with other believers, I hear them make statements like … “if only I had my way, this is what I will be doing”. Beloved, if only you had your way, will you be doing most of the things you do today?
Hey! You are not alone. Up till now, I still sing the “if only I had my way …” song. It seems as though it is an expression of our deepest thoughts and desires. Most times those dreams are coming from above. His way has been shown to us, and we wished it just happened in the natural. We look at our present state and get a quick reminder of how difficult it seems attaining “His way”. We end up wishing “if only I have my way …”
But it could go beyond a wish. As long as your “if only I have my way …” desire is pointing you to “His way”, please pay attention to that way. Years ago, I use to sing … “if only I had my way, I want to be in a place where I can impact lives positively all over the world”. “If only I have my way, I want to work with an organization and a team of believers who will passionately be committed to supporting missionaries and helping the needy”. This looked like a mere dream because I could not fathom how it will happen. But as I began to pay attention to it, I started to see ways to realize “His way”. I may have covered only less than 1% of that way, but there is this peace and joy that envelopes my life because I think I am on track.
If only you had your way … will you be working where you are right now? Will you be doing the things that eat up most of your time at the moment? If only you had your way, what exactly would you be doing? Start paying attention to those things. Start thinking about them daily and you will soon start seeing the ways that lead to that way. “For it is God who is the cause of your desires and of your acts, for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 – BBE)
tope aladenusi
I HOPE YOU PONDERED THOSE QUESTIONS? And I hope you got answers too.
Making money is easy. Anybody can make money. I have seen all sorts of people make money. Money however is not an end in itself. It begins many things. It is like an octopus with many tentacles. It is keeping control of the various tentacles that have ruined many.
“Being WISE is as good as being RICH, in fact it is better. WISDOM or MONEYcan get you almost anything, but it is important to know that only wisdom can save your life” Eccl. 7:11-12 NLT. Wisdom is the principal thing. Get wisdom, it creates, channels and sustains wealth. Money answers to wisdom.
Go first for wisdom. Study the word. Cease from your consideration of wealth and study the word. Get understanding by books. Take advantage of the spirit within that reveals all things and learn “deep things”. The word produces all things (John 1:3) and sustains all things (Heb 1:3). So “…blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of God and in it he meditates day and night, he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bring forth its fruit in season, its leaf also does not grow dry and whatsoever he doeth prospers” Psalm 1:1-3
Wisdom is key. If you find it there will be a future and your hope will not be cut off. It did for me.
The best start, the thirst and search for wisdom.
-emmanuel aladenusi
