Let us begin by saying what the new-birth is not. Being born again is not some off shoot of Christianity. Neither is it brought about by infant baptism or any other religious ceremony. It cannot be brought about simply by reciting a prayer, or willing it to happen.
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In the book of John 1:12-13 we are told “As many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on his name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The born again experience is therefore a supernatural birth, brought about by Gods Power. The scripture is clear, although our will is involved in our conversion to Christ we cannot ‘will’ this new birth to happen.
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However elusive it may seem we know we must attain it because Jesus said “We must be born again to enter heaven” John 3:3.
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Why is this life changing event necessary to one becoming a Christian? Scripture tells us we are all born under the power and dominion of Satan and are by nature (by natural birth) the “Children of wrath” Ephesians 2:3 AND therefore “enemies of God” Romans 5:10. Although we are God’s offspring through his creative work we are not born naturally into the family of God. This is way we must be born again. Born anew into God’s family.
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The new birth experience is a life changing event. Anyone professing to have experienced this event without a change in their life has not been born-again. Jesus said there would be obvious fruit produced if the new believer is truly attached to him, the vine. The experience of the new-birth as a supernatural event, is in part, a mystery. However we can know it has happened because “The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God.” Romans 8:16. We receive Christ by faith (trust in Him), this is unseen. But we will feel different. We will witness a lasting change if we are truly born-again. No-one can encounter the Living God and go away unchanged.
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Moreover this new birth cannot be separated from Jesus Christ. 2Corinthains 1:20 “For ALL the promises of God (are) in Him.” Galatians 3:26 tells us “We become children of God through faith IN Christ. And “If anyone is IN Christ, he is a new creation.” (2Corinthians 5:17).
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The New Testament believers also speak of the new birth as an adoption process (Ephesians 1:5). Just as unnatural parents have to meet certain criteria to adopt a child so we as unnatural children of God must first meet heavenly criteria to be accepted into his family. Although it is “God’s will that none of his unnatural children should perish” 2Peter 3:9 he will not relax the criteria for entry into his family. This steadfastness is powerfully shown in the requirement of the death of his own Son to satisfy our breaking of his holy law.
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The Bible used many natural examples to contrast and help us understand the supernatural. Such as John Chapter Four when Jesus used water to signify the work of the Holy Spirit. Here again in the new birth we see this wonderfully illustrated. From the time of the planting of the seed (faith in God’s word) a shoot appears and growth begins. When the time is right a time of travail begins. It is always painful and difficult. However God guides the birth through the narrow way, and beholds his child.
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Amen
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