The Lord Jesus Christ describes salvation as being “born again” John 3:7.
So just what does this mean to you?
Jesus said in John 3:5 that to have eternal life a person must have two births. The first birth is a physical birth. If you are reading this, then you have completed the first prerequisite. The second prerequisite is that you must have a second birth which is a spiritual birth.
To qualify for this birth there are some things that you need to realize to receive the second birth.
First, you must see yourself as God sees you, and that is you are a sinner. Please consider these verses,
Ecclesiastes 7:20 (KJV) For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 59:2 (KJV) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
You might consider yourself better than “so and so” and even reason within yourself that you’ve never done “this or that” but regardless of what you have or haven’t done you’re still a sinner!
Have you ever stolen? Lied? Dishonoured your parents? Taken Gods name in vain? Committed adultery? Desired to have what was not yours?
We are all guilty!
James 2:10 (KJV) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
It doesn’t matter the size of the sin, the verse you just read says that even if you live a pure and moral life but have told a little “white lie” you’re guilty of breaking even the worst of sins!
Friend, the point is, is that you and I are sinners. We are sinners not only by what we have done in our lives but we are sinners by birth. It is our very nature because of who we come from. Our sin nature has been passed down from every generation since Adam and Eve’s banishment from Eden.
Because of their transgression sin has been passed on through the birth of everything person born on this earth.
Consider this verse:
Romans 5:12 (KJV) Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
So even if you have deceived yourself into thinking that you are perfect and you don’t sin, the verse you just read confirms the fact that you are a sinner by very nature thanks to Adam.
Would you agree that you are a sinner?
If yes, that’s the first step towards the second birth.
Second thing is that you must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He came to this earth for the soul purpose to die on the cross not only for all, but for you personally.
Consider these verses:
John 1:29b (KJV) …Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) But he (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, he (Jesus) was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV) Who his own self (Jesus) bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Romans 5:8 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Friend, throughout the bible there has always been a sacrifice for sins. The first sacrifice for sins was made for Adam and Eve when they sinned against God. The bible tells us that Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves. A picture of their own “righteousness”. But the bible tells us that God required the sacrifice of an animal. God then covered them with the hide of that animal. The sacrifice is on Gods terms and must be acceptable to Him.
Thinking that we are good enough to get to heaven is our own “righteousness”. Thinking that we might work our way to heaven by doing “good deeds” is our own “righteousness”. Being kind, giving to the poor, being baptized into a specific denomination are all acts of our own “righteousness”.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Friends, if that is what you are trusting in, it is not acceptable in Gods eyes.
Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Remember that God provided exactly what we needed to get to Heaven, and that was the death of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. It required the perfect sinless blood of Christ to be shed for you and I.
Sin has a penalty and that penalty is death and hell, but the payment was made by Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 (KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 1:7b (KJV) …and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Revelation 1:5 (KJV) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
But not only must you believe that Jesus died for our sins, you must believe that He rose again!
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how thatChri st died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Hebrews 7:25 (KJV) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Jesus said two births were needed in order to get to Heaven. A physical birth and a spiritual birth.
To receive that spiritual birth you must:
First see yourself as God sees you. Are you a sinner?
Second believe that not only did Jesus Christ die for your sins but that He is in Heaven right now. If He wasn’t then all of this would be in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:17 (KJV) And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Thank God that Christ lives and salvation is guaranteed to the sinner that receives Him!
Third thing you must do to qualify for that second birth is that you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Friend, if you can honestly admit that you are a sinner and because of that you are deserving of hell you’re in a good position to be born again!
The Bible says in Revelation 20:15 (KJV) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Thank God that He has made a way of escape!
Romans 10:9-10,13 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
To be born again requires faith. Simply believing what you have read and trusting that Jesus Christ will do what He said He would do.
These verses say that if you confess (pray) that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that if you believe after Jesus died on the cross, He rose again and is now sitting on the right hand of God, you can be saved.
The verse above says that WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED!
Perhaps you’re thinking that God wouldn’t save you because of the things you’ve done in your life? Look at it again. It says WHOSOEVER! it doesn’t say, only the people that have not done this or that or committed this or that. God is saying it does not matter who you are or what you’ve done. God says if you’ll admit you’re a sinner, if you’ll admit that nothing you can do is good enough to get you to heaven, if you’ll admit that Jesus Christ is the only acceptable payment for your sins and you’ll call upon Him to save your soul, then friend you’ll have that second birth and heaven will be your eternal home!
Don’t know what to pray?
Consider this prayer to help you.
Heavenly Father, I know that I am sinner and I am sorry. I know I deserve hell because of who I am, but I am asking for your forgiveness. Right here and now, the best way I know how, I want to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I am now trusting you Lord that you will take me to heaven when I die.
In Jesus’ name…Amen.
If you have prayed that prayer or something like it, then rest in the fact that your sins have been forgiven and forgotten never to be remembered again!
Remember that it’s repentance and faith that saves your soul.
Acts 20:21b (KJV) …repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance is you changing your mind about yourself and seeing yourself as God sees you and then it’s putting your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that receiving Him as your Saviour will save your soul and give you that second birth that Jesus Christ talked about at the start of this message.
You are prayer away from heaven, will you right now where you are and as your are receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
Should you have any questions or need assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.