Jesus said, “You must be born again.”
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
(John 3:1-9 NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
(John 3:16-18 NIV)
Must - Strong’s Greek Concordance Reference Number 1163: It is necessary.
Be Born - Strong’s Concordance Greek Reference Number 1080: Regenerate.
Regenerate - Dictionary Definition: Bring into new existence. Breathe life into.
Again - Strong’s Concordance Greek Reference Number 509: Anew.
Anew - Dictionary Definition: In a new or different [positive] way. Once more.
To gain eternal life, it is necessary to breathe in a new existence to be regenerated.
Heaven’s gain does not come by good works. It is a gift solely based on the grace of God.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8 - 9 NIV
Most assuredly, being made anew spiritually is a gift of love.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10: 11-13 NIV
Whether it is within life’s last minute whisper, or a time within our youth, anyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
We have this hope - promised by God.
Through [Christ] we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 NIV
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
Consider eternity. Salvation is found in no one else. Call upon the Name of Jesus!
Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12 NIV
Why wait until your last whisper when you could be living your life freely in Him?
Prayer
Father in Heaven,
I breathe in the wind of your Spirit, embracing new life in Christ. I earnestly desire to be born again. May it be done, through Christ, in me.
Amen.
Tell someone of the choice you made. Share the gift!
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 NIV
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