Introduction:
Every man or woman born into this world is born in sin because we are seeds of Adam & Eve. What was Adam’s sin? It was disobedience to God’s Commandments (Gen. 3:11). The soul that sins dies and this is spiritual death (Eze. 18:4) “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) So if one does some good deeds and their duties as others do in this world to assume they will go to heaven when dead is not true. Only those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour i.e., only those who are born again will go to heaven.
God’s Providence:
God made a provision for man to get out of this sinful life. He decided to send His son through a woman to save the world in Eden garden itself. God said His son Jesus will win over Satan, the Serpent Gen. 3:15. “Therefore just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men because all sinned. For just as through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous.” (Rom. 5:12,19) As God promised He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to save us so that whosoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life and who does not believe is condemned already (John 3:16-18, 36).
Our Reaction:
Just saying, ‘I believe in Jesus’ is not enough. You have to act it out by totally depending on Him. Not on your own understanding or on other persons who make claims to lead you to salvation. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil (Proverbs 3: 5-7). Make Jesus as your Lord and put Him first in your life. We should not live for ourselves but should live for Jesus. You should accept Jesus as your personal Saviour confessing your sins and inviting Him to come into you. Jesus said without me you could do nothing (John 15:5). So you should seek after Him and try to do His will. If you do that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Old self will die, all will be created new. You become from a human to supernatural person like Jesus in spirit (2 Cor. 5:17) that is called the born again experience (Romans.10:9) (Ezekiel 18:31-32) “We are saved not because of anything we have done but because of God’s own purpose and grace” (2 Tim. 1:9)
Say this prayer and submit to God
“Dear Lord Jesus, I wholeheartedly believe you are the Son of God who came to save me. I believe you died for my sins on the cross and was raised again from death. I invite you, my living Saviour, to come into my heart and rule as my Lord and Guide. Holy Spirit of God take over my body and make it a new born creation and be with my spirit to help me win the temptations of this world and safely take me to heaven with you. Father, God Almighty, thank you for loving me so much and sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit to reconcile with me. Amen.”
Growing in the Lord:
Once you are born again you are only a child. You need to grow spiritually and develop a close relationship with Jesus.. Your spirit needs word of God as food (I Peter 2:1-3 – as milk to know and Hebrew 5:12-14 as meat to practice them) so read the Bible which is the Word of God daily. Learn more about God and His will for your life and put them into practice. Jesus said “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Mat. 7:21 “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1John 2;17.
Transforming through Holy Spirit:
Following are the steps for a fuller born again experience
- Get forgiveness of sins
- Repent – Do not sin again
- Water Baptism
- Baptism of Holy Spirit
Water Baptism and Holy Spirit anointing are key to knowing God’s will for your lives and attaining power as a believer. Jesus said “No one enters the kingdom of God unless he is born of Water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but spirit gives birth to spirit.” John 3:5,6. Without the help from Holy Spirit you can’t be effective in the Kingdom Without the Holy Spirit you are an empty vessel; can attain nothing, achieve nothing. Jesus asked us to get this power (Luke 11:9-13)
- Through Holy Spirit Bible was written – 2 Peter 1:20, 2 Timothy 3:16
- Through Holy Spirit truth is known – John 16:13, 1 John 2:20
- Through Holy Spirit love of God is poured into us – (Romans 5:5)
- Through Holy Spirit faith operates in us – Galatians 5:5
- Through Holy Spirit we get power – Ephesians 3:16-19, Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:7
- Through Holy Spirit we know that God lives in us. – 1 John 3:24
- Through Holy Spirit we are testified we are God’s children – Rom. 8: 9,14,16
- Through Holy Spirit all things are taught to you. – 1 John 2:27
Conclusion:
We should go on trying to do God’s will. Jesus rewards those who try their best; those who would like to go the extra mile for He promises to lead us and make us stand spotless in the presence of God (Col. 1:22). Meditate on these passages today 1 Cor. 1:6-16 and Jude 17-25. Glory to His Holy name. Amen.