I AM BORN AGAIN – HOW DO WE KNOW?

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READINGS: 1 Peter 1: 22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

The new birth is a phenomenon that came only after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the key guarantee that the Gospel of Jesus will be preached throughout the Earth, because it produces a new breed of people who are capable of living, working and even dying solely to free others from the power of sin. When a person is born again some signs manifest in him. If he nurtures these signs they make him grow in the image of Jesus Christ. The storms of the Christian life are designed to test as well as prove the truthfulness of the new nature. Our anchor must hold. Here are portions of Scripture to guide our meditations on who have been made and are expected to be.

SIGNS
Our new birth shows basically when we:
1.        Love our enemies
a.      But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Mat. 5:44-45
2.        Are grateful for freedom from Sin
a.      Everyone who has been born of God does not commit sin, because His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God….We know that everyone who has been born of God does not continue in sin, but the one born of God guards himself, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 Joh 3:9; 5:18
b.     The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:56, 57
3.        Sense the Holy Spirit
a.      For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 14:8
b.     Walk by the Spirit, Work with His power and boldness. Gal. 5:16, Acts 1:8
4.        Are desirous of the Milk of the Word
a.      Therefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings, and all evil speakings, desire the sincere milk of the word, as newborn babes, so that you may grow by it; if truly you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Pe. 2:1-3
b.     Study to become approved workmen, walking only in the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 2 Tim. 2:15, Eph. 6:12

PRACTICE
So, because the seed of God is now in you, take care not to be sucked back into a life that is no longer your portion: Do not feel bad when you feel the urge to forgive and do good to those who hate and work against you. Celebrate your freedom from sin’s dominion and quickly wipe of all acts that may attempt to stain your reputation as a free man through prayerful repentance and confessions. Yield to the direction and power of the Holy Spirit to make Christ form in you as you continuously put a gap between you and your old self. Be sure your world-view, decisions, advices, teaching, etc. are solidly grounded in the Word of God.

RESULTS
If you nurture the signs of your new birth,
a.      It will be clear to all everybody that you are born again, and you are leading a new life
b.     You will be fruitful, as God stretches forth His hand to give effect to the work you do for Him

c.      The peace of God that beats human understanding will watch over your heart

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