YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Jesus tells us that the gates of glory are closed to us unless we are born again. Therefore we ask: Friend, are you born again? Church member, are you born again? If not, then you are lost. For Jesus says, "...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Surely no one wishes to die a sinner, or perish: then you must be born again.
But you may ask, What is being born again? First we will say what it is not. It is not baptism, for some were baptized and yet not born again. (Acts 8:18-25). It is not joining the church, for some slipped in unawares. (Galatians 2:4) It is not eating of the Lord's table, for some ate unworthily and it brought condemnation (1 Corinthians 11:29). It is not reform or trying to live better,"...for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13" 24). It is not praying, for Jesus says, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me" (Matthew 15:8).

Someone may say, "If I try to do all I can: giving to the poor, visiting the sick and be as good every day as I can, then surely I am born again." No, we cannot be what we are not: "for the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be" (Romans 8: 7). We must have a change of heart. For God by the prophets says: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).

Well, then we ask, what is the new birth? Why call it a birth? How and when do we receive it? Jesus says, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh..."(John 3:6). Like begets like. When a child is born, a new life comes forth, that which has never been, it compares in this respect with the natural birth..., therefore it is called a birth - a new life in Christ Jesus which is to live forever, for Jesus says: "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die..."(John 11:26). Do not we with Nicodemus cry out and ask, "how can these things be"? (John 3:9).

Again we must acknowledge the fact that Jesus expressed, "with men it is impossible but not with God." For if we come to God, lost, burdened, vile, and a sinner, carnally minded, without peace of heart, longing rest and peace, in our distress we cry with the jailor, "what must I do to be saved" Then Paul said, "believe on the Lord Jesus." Note, this man was at his wits end. His question would suggest, "I will do anything to be saved." That is a full surrender.

God who looks on the heart sees that you would not only say, "Lord, Lord," then not do what He says, but would obey and live for Him. God comes to you through the power of the Holy Ghost and creates within you a right spirit. (Psalms 51:10). Thus you are born again - a new creature in Christ Jesus by faith in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

But when may I expect to be born again? God says by the Holy Ghost "...Today, if ye will hear his voice," (Hebrews 3:7). That means at any age, time or place if we hear the call, come. We may come, and be born again by the Spirit thus becoming the children of God heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:14-17).

But how long will it take, must I not grow in to the new birth? No, no, dear reader, we are born into the kingdom of God: that makes us children and heirs, and may take place the moment we surrender all and come to Jesus for mercy, and pardon.

Finally: How may I know that I am born again? Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 teaches, "Examine your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Therefore in proving the unregenerated, the Bible teaches they are dead in sin, lost, condemned, having an evil conscience, carnally minded, without hope, disobedient, without God in the world, children of the devil. Contrariwise, a born again Christian is a child of God, alive in Christ, saved, having no condemnation, having a good conscience, spiritually minded, filled with the Holy Ghost, and faith, with a hope of everlasting life. Their sins are blotted out and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Their hearts are filled with love and the peace, which passeth understanding, they love, desire, and have power to do the Lord's will. They cherish a hope beyond the grave, and the promise of: "...I Will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3). So we ask could anyone go through such a change and not realize it? Hardly, For "the spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16).

Dear reader, if you do not cherish this experience and life in your soul, do not rest in ease, for you are trifling with God and your own soul.
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.