YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Topic: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Text: John 3:7 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye MUST be born again”

INTRODUCTION

Too much familiarity could prove very delicate in some cases. I am sure as soon as you hit the topic “ye must be born again” what first run through your mind is that you are most familiar with such statements. However, scripture says that an increase in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus is directly proportional to an increase the level of grace and peace you enjoy, 2Peter 1:2.

Hence going by our opening scripture, the phrase “You must be born again” causes one to marvel because three major questions comes to one’s mind immediately the same way it applied to Nicodemous and they are:

Why must I become born again?

How do I become born again?

What will be my benefit for being born again?

By the help of the Holy Spirit we’ll be taking a deeper look into these questions today. You have not committed any offence by asking these questions when confronted however, the answers to these questions will help us to understand Jesus laid emphasis on the word “must”. 

WHY MUST I BECOME BORN-AGAIN?

At different points in time God had had to send saviours to the world to save His people. Unfortunately none of the afore sent saviours was able to bring about a lasting to the predicament for which they were being sent. However, in the bid to finding a lasting solution to the world predicament God sacrificed is only begotten son; scripture says “He knew no sin” in other words, he was pure. He was crucified on account of our sins once and for all. 

But why must I become born again? It is simple! Virtually every human being on earth has been infected by the desire to get ahead, a compelling passion in our world which has resulted in more frustration and turmoil. Every person has been bitten by this aspiration to rise in status. We are preoccupied with the status quo and seek to gain status symbols. Much more, we want the best for ourselves with little or no concern for those we climb over in our pursuit for a position of power.

Little does man know that all that he can ever imagine of becoming or achieving is wrapped up in salvation and that is why Jesus said;

“...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” John 3:3

Seeing the kingdom of God in this context is a combination of a secured eternal home and harnessing its blessing while we live on earth. Hence, you must be born again for you to have or enjoy life to its fullest having power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing at your disposal, John 10:10b, Rev 5:12b. The life you thirst to live is not accessible on any other line than that of salvation so, you MUST be born again.

HOW DO I BECOME BORN AGAIN?

Even Nicodemous a high Priest who was supposed to know how was privy to it so he didn’t hesitate asking “how do I become born again?” You are only three steps away, Romans 10:10 reads;

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”

Many don’t value salvation today because it is free. It is free to us because someone paid for it on our behalf. You will agree with me that what many are doing today even in the body of Christ is nothing but robbery because they are not willing to follow the way, John 10:10.

STEP 1. Repent- To repent is a state of godly sorrow for the wrongs you acknowledge to have committed and asking for forgiveness from God who alone can forgive all sins. It is only the blood of Jesus can wash your sins away leaving you blameless, 1John 1:9 says;

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

It could be that simple because of His unconditional love for us even sinner; He doesn’t delight in the death of sinner but in that they repent.

STEP 2.  Forsake- You’ve got to do away with your old way of sin because you’ll require a new wine skin for the new wine salvation offers lest you lose both the wine and the skin. Let go of your old self, 2Corinthians 5:17 says;

“...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”

New is the word that defines your present status and that is why you can’t afford to hang on to any form of debris.

STEP 3. Acknowledge Jesus Christ- You must not move on to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. This you must do consciously with your own mouth and from the bottom of your heart. Hence He will come into your heart and take over the stirring wheel of your life and you are sure of reaching your God-ordain destiny in life. He takes up your bills henceforth and to crown it all, your seat is reserved in heaven.

Conclusively, the choice is all yours now both to take these three simple steps and start living or continue struggling and merely existing.

WHAT WILL BE MY BENEFIT FOR BECOMING BORN AGAIN?

Isaiah 12:3 reads;

“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation”

The blessings of salvation are mined. You don’t find diamond-like treasures on the surface; they are found in wells and require to be mined. What are these treasures I stand to enjoy on becoming born again? Revelations 5:12 unveils them saying;

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing”

-Power to witness, ride upon the high places of life, get wealth etc

-Riches to spread the gospel as well as make God’s kingdom popular on earth and to deliver the poor

-Wisdom is to direct, reign and rule in all affairs of life

-Strength to break bows of steel, cutting asunder the cords of the wicked

-Honour to command the respect of men and nations even strangers

-Glory separates you from all else, it speaks for you everywhere you go and compels people to favour for unknown reason

-Blessings make you rich, helping you eliminate sorrow.

Conclusively, the blessings of salvation are proofs of your faith because Mark 16:18 says they shall follow you from the time you get saved such that people can categorically say that you are different. Now we know why Jesus laid emphasis on you becoming born again, it is all for your good because you’ll never live to the fullness of your place here on earth until you have cross the path of salvation. Say to the person next you “you MUST be born again”. God bless you!