How You Can Be Born Again

You should be able to RECOGNISE, foremost if there are any sins in your life. Would anyone be saved who insists God is falsely accusing him of sin? No. That the Bible says “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), should be all you need to accept man’s natural sinfulness as witnessed to by your apparent personal depravity.

King David did not argue with God when he sinned, to authenticate his claim. Rather, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Samuel 12:13), he acknowledged, and for pardon pleaded: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me”(Psalm 51:1-3).

Like David, acknowledge your apparent present state of sinfulness. For except you acknowledge you have sinned, how would you take this next step which is repentance.

REPENTANCE comes after recognition that you have sinned. Repentance means turning away from the life of sin. You make the statement and determine not to continue in your evil ways any more. That determination to cease from evil is repentance.

Genuine repentance leads to RENUNCIATION of the devil and his works. You would not have truly repented except you cut off any relationship you might have with satan, be it occultism, membership in any club or organisation whose activities are shrouded in darkness or not in agreement with the holy standards of God. Renunciation of the devil also involves severing sinful relationships or friendships. You cannot retain a single boyfriend or girlfriend with whom you engage in immorality or fraud if truly you have repented. You cannot appear a Christian outwardly and yet engage in private prostitution. God does not expect that we call ourselves His people and yet hold on to our past ways.

This done, you know you have not merely spoken those words, you are sure you won’t go back to your past sins, then, “come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD….” (Isaiah 1:18). God knows that the steps you have taken so far notwithstanding, you need His FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING. He knows you have no personal power to live in holiness a single day without His cleansing power. The call God gives is the same as Christ’s: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Coming to Christ is very important in the steps we take to be saved. Without coming to Christ to be forgiven and cleansed by His blood we cannot be truly saved. Because we shall soon return to our old ways, for we can of ourselves do nothing. We do not have the power to cease from sin. It is in the act of stepping out to come to Christ to receive Him as Lord and Saviour that we share in His victory over sin. He imparts on us the power of sonship, the power to go free and sin no more.

Coming to Christ involves CONFESSING HIM AS LORD. Come by faith and receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. You call on Him as Lord to forgive your sinfulness and wash you in His blood. The Bible says: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). No one who calls on the Lord will be turned away, as Jesus Christ Himself promised that:

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). And in coming to Christ, you need not sound special, nor should you intone your prayer of repentance. No special way of speaking will earn you a place before God. You come as you are. You PRAY to God in your usual language and tone.
This was how I prayed and had an unforgettable encounter with the Lord many years ago. I was not conscious that other people were around me. I just prayed. I did not know whether I shouted or I didn’t shout. I was not shy. All that I knew was that the Lord was calling me and that I must respond. I actually responded. And thank God I know that I had an encounter with the Lord. It is not just because I am preaching or because miracles are happening. I know because there is a deep conviction within me. And I can say, “The things I used to do, I do them no more.” My life changed because I got saved; I had a real encounter with the Lord.

When you are saved, there must be a change. It is absolutely necessary that every professing believer must have this definite supernatural change. If you live in adultery or any other sin, come to the Lord. Be definite and say Lord, this will stop, and you will pray until you are forgiven.

Jesus' subsequent statement: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29), implies He expects you do not continue in your self-management. Jesus is saying, Look at my life. If yours is different, then you are on the wrong side. You need to learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.

How do you learn of Christ? In your personal reading and meditation on the word of God and total obedience to all the revealed will of God in the Bible (Psalm 1:1-3; 119:105; 1Peter 2:2). By joining in fellowship with the people of God so that you can be taught more of God and helped to grow in this new spiritual life (Hebrews 10:25). As you continue to commune with Him in prayer every day and also share your new experience with others to bring them to the Lord.

We are always delighted to help you on this subject matter. Do send your inquiries to: deeperhqs@deeperlife.org.ng