Today, we want to look at “New Life, the fifth Component of Holiness.” To make it to Heaven in the life to come, you MUST be Born Again in this present world. Without being Born Again, there is no HOLINESS at all.
What does it mean to conceive? To conceive means to create an embryo by fertilizing an egg.
This is how it happens: When the single sperm cell enters the egg (ovum), conception occurs. The combination of the sperm and the egg is called a zygote. The zygote contains all the genetic information required to become a baby. The embryo is what will develop into your baby.
No one came into this world without sin. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23; Eccl. 7:20; Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:10; 1 Jn. 1:8).
The only way back to God is putting your faith in the finished work of Christ – you MUST be Born Again. Church membership, the taking of holy communion, baptism, confirmation, almsgiving or even being a moralist cannot earn you the forgiveness of sins except you come to Jesus Christ – being Born Again (Jn. 3:3-7; Lk. 5.8).
What does it mean to be Born Again?
1. It means to be born from above by the Spirit of God (Jn. 3:6), through (with) the Word of God (Acts 11:14; 1 Pet. 1:23).
2. To be born again means to be born of God! “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn. 1:13).
3. In a sense, to be born again means to be born two times (Jn. 3:4). How does this function?
a) The first time you were born, you were born by human parents. But the second time you were born, you were born by the Holy Ghost.
b) The first time you were born, you were born by the seed of a man – the sperm cells. But the second time you were born, you were born by the seed of God – His Word.
c) The first time you were born, the name of your biological father became your surname. But the second time you were born, Jehovah became your surname.
d) The first time you were born, you were born from below. But the second time you were born, you were born from above.
e) The first time you were born, you were born into the kingdom of this world – into trouble and chaos. But the second time you were born, you were born out of this world into the Kingdom of God.
f) The first time you were born, you were born into a place that is temporal. But the second time you were born, you were born into a place that is eternal.
g) The first time you were born, your name was written in a certain book in this world. But the second time you were born, your name was written in the Book of life.
h) The first time you were born, you became a citizen of Nigeria. But the second time you were born, you became a citizen of Heaven.
Jesus Christ became sin for us! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For God the Father hath MADE Jesus Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be MADE the righteousness of God in Christ.”
God the Father, at the Cross, treated Jesus Christ as though He hath committed your sins though He was righteous.
Therefore, because you believe and trust in Christ, God the Father treats you as though you were as righteous as Christ.
You have been given the right (ability) to stand before God as though you never committed any sins. You have been declared righteous (1 Cor. 1:30).
Why then must everyone be Born Again?
1) Everyone MUST be Born Again because the fall of Adam affected everyone (Rom. 3:23, 5:12, 19).
2) Until you are Born Again, you cannot be above the sinful nature. You will still be under the control of sin (Ezek. 36:25-27; Rom. 8:1-2; Gal. 5:16).
3) Unless you are Born Again, you’ll remain under the control of Satan.
(4) Unless you are Born Again, you’ll end up in hell (Jn. 3:3, 5).
Here are some points we should note as regards SALVATION:
1) Salvation is deliverance from sin and its consequences – death, and it is brought about by faith in Jesus Christ.
2) Salvation is by grace and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9).
3) Salvation is through Jesus Christ only (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5-6).
4) You MUST believe in Jesus Christ to be saved (Jn. 3:16).
5) You MUST also receive Jesus Christ to be saved (Rev. 3:20; Jn. 1:12; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 3:17). Even the demons believe and tremble but they cannot receive Him (Jam. 2:19).
What are the steps to salvation?
1) The Word of God must be heard (Acts 11:14; Jam. 1:18).
2) You should be convicted after hearing the Word (Acts 2:37).
3) A change of mind, which goes with a godly sorrow that worketh repentance (2 Cor. 7:10).
4) Repentance follows (Lk. 13:3).
5) Faith in and confession of the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour (Jn. 16:31; Rom. 10:9-11).
Conclusion: Until you get Born Again, you’ll never be holy, and without holiness you can never enter Heaven.
Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi 16.05.2021
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