Written by Paul J Bucknell on October, 29, 2018

Born Again to a New Life

The question is simply, “How do I change?"

A person cannot change his or her own heart, nor can his attempts to improve his condition change his inward nature. Some, of course, believe we naturally seek the welfare of others, but any clear look at this world, starting from infants up, portrays the same picture of a self-seeking nature.

Jealousy, fights, arguments, hitting, despising, hating, adultery, immorality, and lying all clearly depict man’s natural bent toward seeking one’s own desires. God’s nature, on the contrary, is love-oriented.

We see this when God sent His Son Jesus to earth to die on the cross. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

God’s gift of love in Christ was horribly rejected by man. Man killed Jesus the Peace Maker. It is interesting how the most vivid scene of love is seen here in the Gospels.

Love is God’s nature. How can that help us?

We must realize that left unchanged by God’s love, we remain totally guilty for each and every self-oriented thought and action. We have not sought God’s ways but man’s. Romans 3:10-12 says,

“There is none righteous, not even one;

there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God;

all have turned aside, together they have become useless;

there is none who does good, there is not even one.”

Our selfish and unholy nature is easily seen when our lives rotate around our own preferences. Man naturally has been infected with this base nature.

God’s love nature seeks out the preferences of others. This can be obtained only by supernaturally being born from above by the Holy Spirit.

God wants to bring the new nature into our own lives. This is what is meant by born again. This does not mean our old life is reincarnated, but a new spiritual life from God is implanted in our souls. I was totally changed from the inside out.

Many millions around the world throughout time have been likewise changed. Jesus clearly outlined the necessity of being ‘born again’ or ‘born from above’ (either translation is accurate). John 3:3 says,

“Jesus answered and said to him,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.””

This new life begins now but has an eternal impact.

Nicodemus, the person Jesus was addressing, had it all. A well known and liked community leader, wealthy, and noted for his devout character. But these outward influences never changed his heart. Nicodemus knew this. This is the reason he sought Jesus late at night. He needed to know something. Others patted him on the back for his accomplishments in society, but he knew down deep there was something missing.

Later, Nicodemus became born again. And he became a changed man. He repented of his self-motivated life and believed that Jesus had taken away his sin on the cross. A new man born with God’s nature of love. We see evidence of this later on in his life as you read on in the Gospel of John.

If you yourself can see the horror of your self, your guilt before God and are willing to seek God’s help, do pray to Him. Declare your hate for sin, your willingness to turn from all evil behavior and plead with God in the name of Jesus Christ to cleanse you from all sin. John, the disciple of Jesus, wrote very clearly describing this whole process in John 1:12.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even 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.”

God takes us and adopts us into His family as His child and given His own nature. Christian love grows out of this new nature. We do not force it but nurture it. The new seed has been planted. And from that seed grows a beautiful life.

Let us know if you have taken such a step or thinking about it. We would love to speak more with you about what God expects from His children and how God cares for His greatly loved children.

The Bible calls the way Christians grow as discipleship. BFF’s website is dedicated to producing discipleship material to help each Christian grow in every area of his or her life as God has designed.

Here is a sample prayer that you can repeat. But feel free to say your own prayer of confession, repentance and belief. There is nothing magical about this prayer. The key is your sincerity and belief in Christ’s forgiveness for your sins.

Dear Lord, I have gone astray from You. In fact, I didn’t even care about you. I had my friends but never contemplated how I have rejected you from being my best friend. I recognize that I have gone against your ways. I have failed you. You are angry with me for my sin. I have no other way to get rid of my sin but through Jesus.

I accept Jesus Christ right now into my life in His wholeness and holiness. I repent from my old life and embrace You, Lord, and all that you have for me. As you have pledged yourself to me, so now I pledge myself by your grace and power to live and to die for you. Please take my sin away and now accept me as your adopted child as John 1:12 says,

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” Take me now, Lord, all of me.

 

Trusting in Christ’’s Name, ______________________. Amen.