Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…‘YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.’” (John 3:3, 7) “That which is born of the FLESH IS FLESH (sarx: the physical nature of man), and that which is born of the SPIRIT IS SPIRIT (pneuma: the spiritual nature of man).” (John 3:6)
“…if anyone is in Christ, HE IS A NEW CREATION; old things have PASSED AWAY (parerchomai: pass out of sight); behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW (kainos: new in attributes).” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Do we understand? We have BEEN CHANGED, by God, we’re NOT THE SAME!!! “We know that WHAT WE USED TO BE was NAILED TO THE CROSS with Him (Christ). That happened so our sinful bodies would LOSE THEIR POWER. We are no longer slaves of sin.” (Romans 6:6 NIrV)
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE BORN AGAIN?
- OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will FORGIVE US OUR SINS and CLEANSE US from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” (1 John 1:9)
- WE ARE ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY: “…you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD, and if children, then heirs—HEIRS (klēronomos: one who receives his allotted possession) OF GOD AND JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST…” (Romans 8:15-17)
- OUR NAMES WRITTEN IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE: “God our Savior…DESIRES ALL MEN (mankind) TO BE SAVED and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) What happens to those who ARE NOT born again? “…anyone NOT FOUND written in the BOOK OF LIFE was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) When the angel was showing John the New Heaven, “…the nations of those WHO ARE SAVED shall walk in its light…there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles…but ONLY THOSE WHO ARE WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE.” (Revelation 21:24-27) Paul said, “My true companion, here is what I ask you to do. Help those women those who have WORKED TOGETHER WITH ME. Their names are all written IN THE BOOK OF LIFE.” (Philippians 4:3)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham