Needed, a New Life

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 5
We are introduced into the human family by birth and we also are introduced into the family of God by birth―by being "born again." Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:77Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7).
As there is no way to get into the human family except by birth, so there is no way to get into God's family except by new birth.
Education will not do it. Reformation will not do it. Joining a church will not do it. Making up your mind to "do better" will not do it. Trying to do your best will not do it. "Turning over a new leaf" will not do it. What is needed is not a new "leaf," but a new "life." "Ye MUST be born again."
A new nature is needed. By physical birth we become partakers of the human nature. By being born again we become "partakers of the divine nature." 2 Peter 1:44Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4). The second birth is not an improvement of the old nature; it is the imparting of an entirely new nature. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." 2 Corinthians 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The old nature cannot be improved in God's sight; it is hopelessly corrupt, and incapable of ever being made fit for His presence. The new birth requires a creative act of the Holy Spirit.
Christianity is Christ. Christianity is not "religion." Christianity is LIFE―the life of the Lord Jesus Christ given to us the moment we are born again. "I am come that they might have life." John 10:1010The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10). "He that bath the Son bath life." 1 John 5:1212He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:12).
Not "Trying"―but "Trusting." "Trying to follow Christ" is not Christianity. It is not trying to imitate Christ; it is the indwelling of Christ. Christianity is not trying to do anything; it is trusting Christ who has done it all!
He has finished the work and there is nothing left to do. Now, simply receive and trust Him who said, "It is finished!" He shed His precious blood on the cross, and the work is all done once and forever! Stop trying and begin trusting!
You are born again, you become a Christian, by trusting a Person―the Person of Christ. The very moment you do this the Lord Jesus Christ comes in, and life, His life, begins in you.
The important question then is: "Have you been born again?" "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3). But God says, "He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).
Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, then you are saved, you are "born again," you have "passed from death unto life"―God says so! Take God at His word, and go on your way rejoicing!