The term "born again" is used by Jesus in John 3:3 to describe a person that has had a literal spiritual rebirth through repenting of their sins and accepting Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross as a substitutionary payment for those sins.
You may ask "What sins are you talking about? I am a pretty good person. I certainly have never murdered anybody, robbed a bank, or anything like that." While this may be true, God holds to a much higher standard of judgement than we do. Have you ever told a lie? Even a little "white" lie that didn't hurt anyone? In the Deuteronomy 5:20, the ninth of the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses tells us not to "bear false witness" against one another - to bear false witness is to lie, and telling a lie just once makes you a liar. The Bible says in Revelation 21:8 that if you are a liar, you will be considered just as bad as a murderer:
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:8This is a pretty serious thing, as you can see. In fact, the Bible tells us that NOBODY has lived up to God's standards in Romans 3:23:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23The Bible also tells us what the penalty or payment for our sin is in Romans 6:23:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23This death that is being talked about is not the physical death of the body, but what the Bible refers to as the "second death" in Revelation 20:14-15 :
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:14-15Yes, the Bible teaches that there is an eternal lake of fire where sinners who find no way of paying for the penalty of their sin will spend eternity. No imperfect sinner can pay for his own penalty, because God demands a perfect sacrifice for sin.
You may ask "But how can I ever avoid the second death if I cannot pay for my own sins?" Do you remember the second half of Romans 6:23:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23God has a free gift for every person who will receive it. That gift is eternal life for all who will believe that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is all they need to trust in for God's forgivness. Only Christ can save you - trusting in anything else will bring condemnation. If you have been trusting in your church membership, or baptism, or just being a good person to get you to Heaven, please realize right now that none of these things can save you from your sin. Christ is the one and only way.
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9:
"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." Ephesians 2:8-9Grace here means undeserving or unmerrited favor. Salvation and an eternal home in Heaven are free gifts from God that can only be claimed by trusting in Jesus Christ and nothing else. A person is "born again" through this trusting - or faith - in Jesus' sacrificial and substitutionary death on the cross. So, just how does a person become "born again"? Would it suprise you to hear the Bible tells you how? In Romans 10:9, it states this simple sentance:
"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." Romans 10:9All you must do is repent of your sin and open your heart to Christ and receive Him as Lord. Sounds too easy? Again, several sentances later (Romans 10:13), the Bible tells us what to do in an even simpler way:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13Someone may say "You don't know what kind of a life I have lead, what kind of sin I am trapped in - there is no hope for me." Do you think that you are the only one that has ever been where you are? Remember that God is all-powerful. When you are born again, God seals you and breaks the chains that sin binds you in. Furthermore, He promises in the Bible to give you the power to overcome your sinful tendencies and instead become more like one of His children, more like Christ. In John 1:12 it says:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12
Jesus Christ gave His life for you nearly 2,000 years ago - before you were ever born. He laid down His life on the cross, was buried three days, and rose from the grave to save you from your sin. His desire was that you accept Him as your Saviour, and He offers you the only way of escape from the judgement that is to come. The Bible not only tells the way to salvation, but it also tells what will happen at the end, when everybody who ever lived will be judged by God. The final judgement is described in great detail in Revelation 20:11-15, and it is a very chilling event:
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:11-15Imagine everything that you have ever done, every secret thought you have ever had, every word you have ever spoken, revealed before Almighty God - and then imagine Him judging you by those things. That is what awaits those who are never born again, those who never accept Jesus as their Saviour, those who try to get to Heaven by their own way. If you would like to escape that Judgement and to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, if you are ready to repent from your sins and trust Him with all of your heart, all you have to do is ask Jesus to save you in a prayer - in your own words, or with the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I need a Saviour. Right now I turn from my sin and accept You as my Lord and Saviour. I am trusting You and You alone for my salvation, believing that You died and rose again from the grave. I thank You for saving me.
If you have prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, it is important for you to associate yourself with a Bible-believing church that can teach you to grow in Christ. THIS WEEK, make an effort to attend this type of church. There, you will find friends who can help you to know more about Jesus Christ, your newfound Saviour and FRIEND! If you live in the Lewiston/Aubrn, Maine area and would like to attend Cornerstone Baptist Church, or are interested in a visit from our Pastor to your home, please contact us at the number listed on our Home page, or send us an Email.
May God richly bless and protect you in your new Christian life!!