What does it mean to be “Born Again?” It is a biblical term used by Jesus…

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 If Jesus used it that certainly validates it’s use; but still what does it mean? Puzzled?

It is a term that points to a spiritual situation and condition Human beings are not just flesh and blood; we have been given souls (a heart), and primarily we are spirit beings. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

Our human experience includes a consciousness towards God! We are aware of a Supreme Being We have the opportunity of Knowing God A conscience towards God—Holy & Perfect We long to worship Someone Greater We have an emptiness inside Our human experience includes a consciousness towards God!

Being “Born Again” is spiritual not physical… We were born into the world once physically but because of sin we do not know God spiritually. When Jesus says we must be “Born Again” it is referring to our need to receive the Holy Spirit into our being!

It is all about our relationship! God is love and He is Personal in His desire for communion with each person God will not invade our hearts and take over like a dictator God is waiting for OUR permission to save us! He is waiting for our invitation to enter our being… For God so loved the world...

Personal Relationships like marriage & divorce help explain it… With a marriage we have the most personal relationship humanity knows there is love, friendship, communion, security, intimacy, etc… With divorce we have the separation of that relationship; divorce is the death of love and communion between two people who once were “one.” LOVE Reconciliation is the answer to the divisions, arguments, and injurious fighting that take place in a marriage which can lead to divorce.

Stop & Think about this… When two people in love begin to fight their joy, intimacy, and fellowship are put on hold. If the argument is deep enough a wall begins to separate them emotionally. This wall prevents fellowship although the relationship of marriage may still be intact. Reconciliation brings down the wall and restores the fellowship repairing the breach. When this happens the relationship experiences a type of being born again. Bitterness & Resentment

We are reunited with God’s Spirit individually! “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” (1Corinthians 6:17) The greatest blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is KNOWING we are right with God and saved from our sins. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” (Romans 8:16)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ministry of reconciliation! God has removed the offense of our sin and rebellion through the cross of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:18) He offers peace between us and God through the blood of Christ. When we repent and surrender to God’s sovereign will our heart is reconciled to God’s heart—being born again! This is true for each of us personally in responding to God. Turn Around...

There are FOUR Spiritual laws that relay this need to be reconciled with God: Law Number One: God loves each of us and has a wonderful plan for our life now and eternally. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Our efforts all fall short! Holy God Law Number Two: Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “The wages of sin is death.” [spiritual death & separation from God] (Romans 6:23) Our efforts all fall short! Sinful Man

Law Number Three: Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin Law Number Three: Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Law Number Four: We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12,13)

A Prayer Must be Said… Holy God We must ask to be saved it will not happen by itself or through someone else’s effort. Salvation is not a relationship through someone else—it is a personal connection. A prayer of the heart: “Dear God, I believe in Jesus Christ. I know I am a sinner separated from you; come into my life, forgive me and save me through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.” Holy God Re-united in Spirit Sinful Man Born Again!

What’s Next? Accept by faith that your obedience to His plan of salvation has resulted in you becoming a child of God AND tell someone! Begin to find others who believe the Bible is God’s Word and have also been born again. Pray and read: prayer is talking with God in our heart, mind, or with our lips; read a good translation of the Bible usually a more contemporary version is easier to understand. Attend a good Church: going to Church is like making it to practices [like when we’ve participated in team sports]. It is God’s will that we gather together for various reasons including worship, prayer, sharing, and hearing God’s word preached…