ARE YOU REALLY BORN AGAIN OR DO YOU JUST “THINK” YOU ARE?

            “Are you born again?”, if most so called Christians were asked this question, they’d boldly say “Yes”, because they accepted Jesus into their lives at one point or the other. Well, that’s true looking at it from that perspective. Now let’s take this further, shall we? See, being born again isn’t just a title you get when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but more the beginning of a journey to be like HIM; it’s the 1^st of the 3 steps of Salvation, the first being that of the spirit, while the others are of the soul and the body. From this perspective, you’ll agree with me that most Christians fall into the category of those at the first step; just a few are at the 2^nd… the third? I’m not so sure about that.

            Before I continue, let me clarify one thing, going to church doesn’t make you any better than someone who doesn’t IF you’re not a "hearer, doer and teacher of the Word…" Even the devil goes to church on Sundays to get updates on how he can overtake those who go to church. Trust me, once you can receive a “Word” (especially if you have an intention of doing and teaching (Mark 4:17, Matthew 13:21)) the devil will always try to oppose/ persecute you, trying to hinder your growth, because he’s  scared of what will happen if you grow to become like Jesus… he’s REALLY SCARED. (1 John 4:4)

            What does it mean to be Born-Again?

TO BE BORN AGAIN IS..

1.              1  .     -I’ll start with the very nature of GOD, LOVE.

… To be born with the very nature of God, Love. You do this Firstly by loving God with all of your heart, soul, strength and mind; and by studying, doing and teaching God’s commandments/ Word. Secondly, Love your neighbor as yourself, with the Love of God (1 Cor 13:4-8). Many times, we think we’re walking in Love, when we’re actually acting out of what our carnal emotions feel; or even pity… Love is “discerning by wisdom, desiring by compassion and doing by Power what God will do in every situation”

2.        … To have a desire to “seek FIRST the Kingdom of God”, and run with perseverance till IT is formed in you. (John 3:3, Matthew 6:33) What is the Kingdom of God? IT’s Righteousness in your will, peace in your mind, and Joy in your emotions by The Power of The Holy Ghost. This is God’s desire for us and we must labour fervently (“for the Life of God (Prov 10:16)”, “in Prayer (Col 4:12)”, “in the Word and doctrine (1 Tim 5:17)”) and violently. (Matthew 11:12).

            Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin… Labour to enter into Righteousness, strive against sin by God’s Grace, sin shouldn’t dominate you, it should be the other way round. Consecrate yourself unto God, be quick to forsake and confess your sins; drop your old sinful habits, addictions/ pleasures; live like one under the Grace (not the Law), daily crucify your flesh and renew your mind until you become a new creature, and like Christ, Perfect.. 2Cor 5:17

3.To be able to see the things of this world less significant than you used to, as you seek First the Kingdom of God. Your Hope, an anchor for your soul, shouldn’t be on things, but should be tightly fit in Christ Jesus, whom we have as The Anchor for our souls, This life we live is temporary and short, compared to Eternal Life… Make God and His Will your topmost priority, (Matt 6:33, Php 3:7, 13, 14)… “This Life” is an investment for “Eternity”.

4.      It’s not just about receiving the salvation of the spirit, but also having an utmost desire to be filled with The Holy Spirit, The Spirit of Truth, Discernment; of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Might, of the Fear of God; The Spirit of Love, of Power, of a sound mind (Isaiah 11:2,   ). It also means to bear the fruits of The Spirit, Love (and its subsets, Joy, Peace Longsuffering, Faithfulness, Goodness, Meekness, Temperance, Patience) by The Power of The Holy Ghost. These fruits will distinguish you from every other person, any day, anytime, and will let you be a light to the world.

5.     ...To Know your identity in Christ; many live and die without knowing or acknowledging who they are in Christ Jesus. Though born-again, because their minds haven’t been enlightened/ renewed yet, that stronghold of who they used to be/ what the world calls them is still dominating; which shouldn’t be. Once you’re a New creature, though on earth, you should see yourself as one seated with Christ in Heavenly places (in His Kingdom) far above all principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness and so on.(Psalms 8:6) Yes, you’re above them all, and you should not let dominate you or “your world”. Dominate them by “His Word, Life and The Power of God generated through consistent effectual and fervent faith and prayer, In Jesus’ Name.

In Christ, you’re free, blessed, rich, successful; you think of everything negative you know, the opposite is who you are in Christ Jesus, because when He died, these negative things/ identities died with Him as well, they’re all under your feet.. Acknowledge who you are in Christ Jesus, and all the Spiritual blessings you have with Him. Don’t be moved or discouraged by what you can presently see in your life; walk by Faith, not by sight. The world shouldn’t dictate how you should live; God’s Word and His Spirit should do that. God said He has ”GOOD” plans for you. Trust me “GOOD” is an understatement, “Glorious” is the word.

            So are you really “born again”, or are you just someone walking around with the title “born again”? Christianity isn’t a “religion”… Nah! It’s way more than that… it’s a nature, a lifestyle, that of CHRIST.