pp. 10-11, from the Guide
JESUS SAID: 'Y0U MUST BE B0RN AGAIN'
From the gospel of John chapter three we read about a religious leader named Nicodemus,
who came to Jesus by night and asked Him, 'How can a man be born again when he is old?'
Jesus in his reply to Nicodemus in John 3:8 said "The wind blows where it wants and
we can not tell where it comes from or where it is going and so is everyone who is born of
the Spirit (Born Again). The obvious conclusion is that becoming born again is a God
initiated and controlled action upon those He choose. In Isaiah 45:21-22 God declares
Himself to be "God and Savior" He tells us to LOOK unto Him to be saved. (Born
Again).
Just how do we 'LOOK UNTO GOD?'. Do we just make up our mind and decide to follow God?
Do we exercise our free will and decide to accept Christ? if so how about those who are
incapacitated or too young to understand or unborn infants. In order to have a consistent
salvation plan that answers these question we must look to God's word and see what it has
to say. in John 1:13 the word says, "We can not be born again by blood, by the will
of the flesh nor of the will of man but only by the will of God.' We can only receive
Christ when God's Spirit incline our hearts under the hearing of the gospel (see Romans
10:17).
In John 6:44 Jesus says, 'No man can come to me except he be drawn by the father.' in
John 6:45 Jesus says, "We must be taught of God and when we have heard and learned we
will come to Him." God must cause us to be born again because we are dead in sins and
trespasses. In Romans 3:10-11 we find "There is none righteous, there is none that
understand, there is none that seeketh after God." In Romans 6:23 God again states,
'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." In Ephesians 2:1,5-8 God states
that, "We are dead in our sins but by His grace He makes us alive in Christ through
faith and not because of any works, less we should boast.' In Galatians 2:16 God says,
"We are justified by the FAITH OF CHRIST and not by any laws we have obeyed.' God
desires for a person to come before Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (See
Psalm 34,18 & 51:17).
A most striking example of God saving a person, even at the last moment, is found in
Luke chapter 23 at Jesus' crucifixion, one of the two thieves who hung beside Him CRIED
0UT with a broken heart and contrite spirit and ask Jesus to have mercy on him. The Holy
Scriptures says his prayer was answered and he went to be with Christ in paradise that
very day.
In summary, our becoming born again is an action that must first be initiated by God.
Just like our first birth in which we played no part, our second birth (born again) must
be Cod-initiated. God must incline our heart to turn to Him and give up on our tainted
selfish desires and ambitions. (A great multitude of people try to come to God under their
own salvation plan. However they are deceived by satan who is an angel of light. (See I
Corinthians 11:4 & 14)
Many are called, but few are chosen. Has God chosen you ? (Matt.
22:14)
p. 11
We must totally cast ourselves on God's mercy and cry out to Him to save
us from our sins. We need to admit we are wrong and God is right. We must want God's will
to be done above every other desire (See Matthew 6:10). We must present our self as a
living sacrifice unto God (See Romans 12:1).
In Romans 10:9-10 God's word says, that "If we confess with our mouth
the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead we would be
saved.' (BORN AGAIN) This true confession Is only possible after God has started drawing
those whom He would save into His kingdom. See Matthew 1:21 (JESUS WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE
FROM THEIR SIN)
If, after prayerfully reading this, the Holy Spirit has inclined your
heart to really put your hope and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary's
Cross. Call on Him at this time with a broken heart an a contrite spirit. Plead with Him
to save you from your sins for Christ sake.
IF HE HAS SAVED YOU, ASK HIM TO HELP YOU TO BE WILLING TO DEVELOP
THE FOLLOWING HABITS AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING 23 ACTIVITIES:
(1) Praise God again and again from this day of your conversion.
(2) Learn to obey Him by reading and studying His Word daily.
(3) Follow in obedience by becoming a member of a local 'Bible Only'
fellowship. (A fellowship that believes the Bible alone is God's total will).
(4) Get baptized in obedience to God's command.(See Matthew 28:19)
(5) Tell others about your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
(6) Attend a fellowship regularly and worship God in spirit and in truth.
(7) Encourage other believers in their walk with Christ.(Heb. 13-1)
(8) Ask God to help you discover what He has called you to do specifically
to help His kingdom to grow. (See Romans 12)
(9) Fellowship with other believers around God's Word and the person of
Jesus Christ.(See Hebrews 10:25)
(10) Realize that you and everything you own belong to God.(Psa 24:1) (11)
Be a good steward of God's resources.(See I Peter 4:10)
(12) Give to God's work as He has prospered you.(See I Cor. 16,.2) (13)
Pray at every opportunity for God's guidance (See I Thes. 5:17).
(13) Pray at every opportunity for God's guidance. (See I Thess
5:17.)
(14) Meditate on God's word day and night.(See Psalm 1:2)
(15) Look forward to the return of Jesus Christ.(See John 14:3)
(16) Support missions and ministries far and near not only with material
needs but also your time and prayers.(See Heb. 10:21)
(17) Listen to Christian Radio Programs whenever possible.(Rom 13-14)
(18) A1ways be a Berean Christian (See Acts 17:11)
(19) Encourage others to listen to Christian Programs.(Hob. 3:13)
(20) Never forget that the 'GOSPEL' is God's answer to man's sin.
(21) Encourage others to read God's word each day.(See Matthew 24-35)
(22) Encourage others to read a Daily Devotional Guide.
(23) Realize that you are an ambassador for Jesus Christ and you represent
Him every moment of your life.(See 1 Cor. 5:20)
If you have any question about being born again, or if you need any gospel
help, please feel free to contact us.
Be truthful. tasteful. gentle and sweet in your witness to
others.
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