Introduction to Being Born Again:

The concept of being “born again” in Christianity refers to a spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ. This transformation is crucial for understanding the believer’s identity and inheritance.

Salvation by Faith:

Salvation is achieved through faith, not by human merit.

According to Christian doctrine:

Hearing the Gospel: One must first hear the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection

Ephesians 1:13 (New King James Version – NKJV) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

(Message Bible – MSG) It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free–signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit.

Belief and Repentance: This involves believing fully in Jesus (Romans 1:16), repenting (changing one’s mind about sin and Christ, Acts 3:19), and calling upon His name (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

The New Creation:

When we are born again, we are transformed into a new creation:

Spiritual Rebirth: As stated in 1 John 5:1, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” This means believers are spiritually reborn from God, inheriting His divine nature.

1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.

Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 speaks of God sanctifying the believer wholly – spirit, soul, and body, suggesting divine healing extends to the physical realm.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Identity as Children of God:

Divine Lineage: Being born again means changing fathers from earthly to heavenly. This new lineage brings divine attributes, negating earthly genetic predispositions to disease or sin (John 3).

Inheritance and Authority:

Heirs of God: Romans 8:17 declares believers as joint heirs with Christ, inheriting all that belongs to God. This includes authority over worldly challenges, as emphasized in Luke 12:32, where it’s God’s pleasure to give believers His kingdom.

Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs––heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Power of Faith: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Being born again means having God’s faith within, enabling believers to move “mountains” (Mark 11:23).

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Living Out the Faith:

Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22 lists the fruits of the Spirit, including faith, which believers receive upon rebirth. These fruits foster a life of love, joy, peace, and other divine qualities.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Confidence and Certainty: 1 John emphasizes the certainty of Christian truth, with the verb “know” appearing 39 times, affirming believers’ secure identity and eternal destiny in Christ.

Utilizing Faith:

Confession and Action: Knowing you possess God’s faith involves finding applicable scripture, meditating on it, confessing it, and acting upon it. This process prepares one for victory over life’s trials.

Journaling and Confessing Scripture: Keeping a prayer journal to note and confess scriptures that resonate can guide one’s faith journey.

Conclusion:

To live as a born-again believer is to live with the confidence of God’s power and inheritance. It’s not merely about a future in heaven but about experiencing the divine life, authority, and victory here and now, as promised in John 14:12 where Jesus assures believers of doing even greater works than He did. This life is marked by Christian certainty, where faith is not speculative but grounded in Christ’s historical truth and the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work.

John 14:12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.