Born Again

<<starting life anew in Christ>>

Also termed salvation, conversion, becoming a Christian, becoming a child of God, believing in Christ, giving one’s life to God, asking Jesus into the heart, being saved and regeneration.

This is a spiritual work undertaken by the Holy Spirit when a person admits they are a sinner, repents, accepts Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf, receives Him as Saviour and walks in His ways (Jn 1:12, 3:16; Rom 10:9; 1 Jn 1:9).  Many people claim to be Christian, yet their lifestyle does not seem to be getting any closer to that which Jesus said should characterize His followers – thus, it is doubtful if this is a true salvation experience for the Bible says children of God will not continue to practice sin but do right (1 Jn 3:9,10). While God alone knows those who are saved we can observe the fruit of their lives (Mt 7:16,20; 2 Tim 2:19).

It has become common to speak of a ‘born-again Christian’ inferring a real life change has taken place – a meaningful and earnest decision, not a frivolous casual whim that does not signify a passing from death to life (Jn 5:24). The concept comes from the private

Have I been genuinely born again?

conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, describing what symbolically has to happen for a person to enter into heaven (Jn 3:1-21). When Jesus said, “You must be born again” He was not referring to a physical rebirth, but to the spiritual dimension – our spiritual life, ‘coming alive’, for without Christ we are spiritually dead and heading to eternal damnation (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:1-5; Col 2:13). In Christ, we are a "new creation", born again to a living hope of eternal life (2 Cor 5:17; 1 Pet 1:3). It is by God’s grace alone, through faith, and not the result of any works we are saved yet we are required to "live a life worthy of the calling we have received" (Eph 2:8,9, 4:1).

The Bible states those who are Christians have the witness of the Holy Spirit within that they are children of God (Rom 8:16; 1 Jn 5:13). Do I have a definite assurance of salvation?

See also: assurance, book of life, cheap gospel, Christian, conversion/convert, eternal damnation, eternal life, reincarnation, repentance, salvation.