You Must Be Born Again

There’s an old gospel choir song I keep singing, “You Must Be Born Again” by Hezekiah
Walker. After singing over and over again the lyrics I remembered, I thought I should delve
deeper in this command. In John 3, Nicodemus, a Pharisee meets with Jesus alone in the
night. Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews; however, he recognized Jesus was of God; and
wished to know more about Jesus’ teachings. After his encounter with Jesus and learning
what is required to behold the kingdom of heaven, was Nicodemus ready to leave his Jewish political convictions to walk with Christ?

As a young child, I decided to get baptized in order to be able to sing on the choir and to usher on the usher board. My decision had nothing to do with calling or believing on the Name of Jesus. It was not until age 15, that the Lord got my attention and convicted me. I tearfully took the walk to the front of the church to publicly acknowledge and appreciate His work on the Cross for me; and to ask Him to forgive me of my sin. There was a definite difference that night; it was personal, too. I was no longer the same. At that moment in time, I believed Jesus died for my sins; and I embraced the whole idea: I want to go to heaven when I die. Jesus was clear to say in His conversation with Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The phrase ‘born again’, is not, of course, a literal rebirth, but this ‘born again’ suggests a
submission to change from the former beliefs of this world to a submission to the Lord Jesus the Christ. Yes, those who call on the Name of Jesus exist and desire differently. They believe Jesus’ work of love on their behalf! They choose to allow Christ to mold them and to have Christ lead them in the direction that pleases Him. In Acts 2:38, Peter preaches, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Repentance or rebirth is required initially to gain relationship and fellowship with the Godhead. Repentance is also necessary for the Christian, for when we sin we still need to repent in order to regain fellowship with our Lord (see I John 1:9). God requires a turning away from sin (any sin patterns) to enjoy the awesome fellowship with our Holy and Righteous Godhead. For Christ died so that we may have this right, yes, this privilege and our greatest opportunity ever. Hallelujah! Therefore, let the redeemed of the Lord, be crystal and teach salvation by what God has said.

PRAYER: Lord, nothing in us is able to embrace the awesome privilege Your Christ has given us. Jesus, the Son of God, was and is our only hope of salvation. Only He could take on our sin and bear Your wrath. Yes, He is our Holy Savior; and He satisfied Your Holy demands against our sin. Hallelujah and Bless the Name of Jesus forever and ever! ? It is in His Name we pray.-Amen!!
By Sis. Lisa Williams