To be a Christian, you must be born of the Holy Spirit. You must experience a new birth (born-again); you must be born spiritually the second time.

There are no other ways to becoming a Christian other than to be born of God. Born from above and by the imperishable Word of the Living God: 

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9).  

We are living in a time and age in which every supernatural event is viewed with suspicion and skepticism, but to be candid, the birth of a Christian is a supernatural event.

This is not a second natural birth, but a being begotten from above by the Holy Spirit: 

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God’ (John 3:5).  

 If the birth of Jesus Christ was a miracle, then the birth of a Christian is also a miracle.

Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, added to His divine nature the human nature; Christians, at new birth, add to their human nature, the divine nature. Regeneration gives birth to a spiritual man (Titus 3:5).

I can comfortably say that the creation of the new man is the second wonder in God’s creation. The first is the creation of natural man (unregenerate man). New birth is a necessity for every human being, because man who was made upright has become corrupt, depraved, and is perishing.

Man’s nature has become defiled (Ecclesiastes 7:29); his nature has become stained with sin and needs a new nature. The Second birth is the only means by which man is given a new nature.

If any man wishes to have meaningful fellowship and communion with God, his maker, then he must be born again. Further, because of sin, the image and likeness of God upon man has become defaced and the new birth is the only way to give man a fresh start and a clean slate.

Man, in his current state of derailment and estrangement is of no use to His maker and not even to himself. It is absolutely impossible for unregenerate man to fulfill the purpose for which he is created without a new birth:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Man without a second birth cannot be good and neither can he do good works.

Every man must be born again and indwelt by the good God to do good works. Natural born man cannot be good and neither can he do works; good is greatness, pure and moral uprightness.

New birth or regeneration is solely a divine prerogative. It is exclusively the work of the Holy Spirit. It does not come by the natural desire for children, and neither is it the result of human decision; it is what God alone must begin and finish (Philippians 1:6).

Salvation from start to finish is all of God. What God begins, He must finish (1 Samuel 3:12). Only the Creator of mankind can recreate or give man a second birth. No man can give himself a new birth; it must be done supernaturally by the omnipotent God: 

“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). 

Transcended life, which is life in Christ, begins with birth in the Spirit; it begins with the birth of the New Man.

Born of the Spirit, every Christian is considered a spirit being. Our newly created spirit is one with the Spirit:

“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17).

This means oneness with the Spirit. This means man can effectively commune with God the Holy Spirit.

Only the Spirit of God can produce that which is spiritual and holy. Spirituality begins at birth by the Holy Spirit. The birth of a saint is a divine prerogative; no man can make himself a saint and neither can any man confer sainthood on another.

Every born again is a Christian, and every Christian is a saint: 

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).  

 Spirit gives birth to spirit and the flesh gives birth to flesh and the two are mutually exclusive.

For example, After the fall of man, and after the death of the first two sons of Adam, Cain and Abel, Adam  lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and image; and called his name Seth (Genesis 5:3).

Adam was created in the likeness and image of God (verse 2), but Seth was born after the likeness and image of Adam, which means Seth was born after the corrupt nature of Adam and not after Adam as he was originally made from the hands of his maker.

Like Seth, each of us through the process of natural birth hath received from Adam through our parents a sinful, corrupt and defiled nature (cf. Romans 5). Every man has inherited from Adam what became of them after his fall; therefore every man must be born again.

Fleshly born, every man must be Spirit born. Man born of the flesh cannot please God; therefore, change is indispensable: 

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). 

God does not waste His time to improve, repair or reform the old nature at regeneration.

God creates a completely new man. God gives to every one of His newly born a completely new nature; a divine nature. As a result, every Christian possesses two natures: human and divine nature.

But beware, that the second birth is not reincarnation. Christianity has no room for something absurd such as reincarnation. Man, as created by God, can only be born twice: The natural birth, the means by which every man enters the world, and the Spiritual birth which saves sinners and translates them into the kingdom of Christ and of God, and making them members of God’s own family.

Our human nature (what we are as human beings without a second birth) can only adapt us for natural existence. Our divine nature (what we are as a result of rebirth) adapts us for spiritual existence which is life in the Spirit or heavenly existence.

In God’s creation everything has its proper place: 

 “If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44). 

Christian life is very unique, because every Christian possesses two dates of birth with two birth certificates; one certificate from the place of birth and the other, from above.

Beside the natural birthday, Christians can also celebrate a second spiritual birthday which is the day we became born again. I must emphasize, one birth is not good enough to qualify anyone for the blissful life promised to all those who put their faith in God.

There is no other way to become a Christian than to be born again by the Spirit of God. Christians become partakers of God’s own very nature at regeneration (2 Peter 1:4): 

“Jesus 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 as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).  

Every Christian is a new creation by virtue of the new birth (2 Corinthians 5:17).

To be in Christ is to be a new creation; every one that is born of God is a new creation and not that he ought to be a new creation. He is a new man, even though he remains in the same old mortal frame (body).

A Christian is a new man in an old suit; he is white, not white washed. The old life of slavery to sin and bondage to Satan is a thing of the past; behold, everything has become new. There is a decisive break with the old life at the moment of salvation.

Regeneration is a divine transformation. It is a gift from God, and signifies a new beginning. New birth is irreversible; it cannot be repeated. What God does is forever.

A man can repent or be converted many times but not so with regeneration. Like the natural birth, it is absurd to think of the possibility of becoming unborn.

The difference between natural life and the Spiritual life in Christ, is so striking: Sinners become saints and old men become new men. New man is God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:1,10; Colossians 3:10).

The transcendent nature of the new birth is that all three persons of the Godhead are involved in the making. God gave mankind salvation, Jesus bought it, and the Holy Spirit brought it to us:

 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).

“You have he (God) quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are you saved)” (Ephesians 2:1ff).

Jesus “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).

Good deeds, rich heritage, education, good morals, and sound religion may be good, but unfortunately, they fall far too short of producing such a transcended birth — the birth of a new man.

Further, new birth is not in the human gene and neither is it an inner divine spark that each of us can ignite to produce a new man. Further still, reformation, renovation, or repair may produce some positive changes in a person, but not a new man.

Self-effort cannot provide salvation and neither can it emancipate fallen man from the tentacles of sin and death. Salvation has nothing to do with merits; no man can earn his salvation and neither can it be awarded: 

God alone chooses and determines the rebirth of each of His sons. 

Now, let me show you another mystery of the Christian life.

Even though Christian life begins at rebirth as already mentioned, realistically, the idea began with God from eternity past; it began in the dateless past, before history: 

“Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ before the world begun,

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:9).  

The choice of individual Christians were made before each individual was born from the mother’s womb, and before salvation.

Each individual Christian was chosen according to God’s own eternal purpose before birth (cf. Galatians 1:15): 

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4).  

However beware, for this does not imply God had destined or chosen certain individuals for hell; it always has been and still is the will of God that all men be saved, that no man should perish (1 Timothy 2:4).

Ephesians 1:4 simply means the omniscient God, by His foreknowledge, chose and made provisions according to His own purpose and grace for all who are to be saved (Christians) before history, but were only made aware of it by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ through faith in history (cf. Acts 2:47).

I wish I can tell you what is in God’s foreknowledge that determined His choice of people but since no man is privileged to know, we can only rejoice in our unique privilege and be forever grateful to God for chosen us.

The all-knowing God had a plan for the salvation of mankind long before the fall of man; before sin was introduced into the world by Satan. God has a plan and a purpose for creating mankind and nothing can by any mean destroy or abort His purpose, not even sin.

God’s plan has a determinate end for all those who are chosen and called. Each individual would be made exactly like His Son Jesus Christ, that is, in righteousness and true holiness forever.

Jesus Christ is the express image of God, and the brightness of His glory; He is the visible form of the invisible God. Christians resemble Jesus in holiness and righteousness (Romans 8:28-30).

God’s redemption plan has three stages: He first calls all those whom He has chosen individually through the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. He then justifies, and sanctifies them by his word and the Spirit, and He would finally glorify them at the second appearance of His Son: 

“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (Romans 8:30; cf. 1:6; 3:24, 28, 4:2; 5:1; 8:17; Colossians 1:27; 3:4; Titus 2:13-15).  

There are many benefits to the new birth; great privileges and promises.

For example, everyone born of the Spirit is automatically given by grace, a new standing before the Holy God; he is declared righteous (justified) on the merits of Jesus Christ through faith. His righteousness is imputed to each and every Christian through faith.

Faith in the faith of Jesus is reckoned as righteousness to every believer (Romans 3:22). In other words, God credits or puts into the accounts of each of His saints all that Jesus is and did for them: 

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).  

Again, to each individual Christian, there is righteousness imparted; born again is a state. There is the impartation of righteousness: 

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).  

At rebirth, there is an impartation of new life.

Every Christian is given a new heart and a new spirit and is washed clean by the word of God. Every Christian is sanctified by the word and by the Spirit. There are many other benefits including the reconciliation of Jews and Gentles; both having peace and access to God through Christ Jesus.

I hope to give you the summary of a few at the end of this chapter and also cover some more in the chapters ahead, but for now let me give you a little home work to do, ponder over Ephesians 2:11-22.

Born of the Spirit is the starting point for union and communion with God for every man. Fortunately, there is nothing like a counterfeit or false Christian. It is a question of being a Christian or not, new or old, white or white washed.

As already mentioned, new or white is what God is looking for, in every man or creature, and this can only come about through divine transformation. New life is free for all who express the need for it; it is free for all who come to God through the Faith of His Son Jesus Christ.

All those who are born again are marked to be glorified at a date in history (1 Corinthians 15:49-58); creation shall also be reformed on the day of Christ (Romans 8:18-22).

Beloved, I have no doubt you picked this book because God has chosen you for this transcended life through His beloved Son Jesus Christ. However, if at this moment, you are not certain, or sure of your salvation, then, you may be missing out on this supernatural and exciting Christian journey.

Satan is a thief and a murderer who seeks to take advantage of the weak and the ignorant. For the benefit of the doubt and for your sake, let me quickly show you how you can solidify your stand as a Christian and forever cast away the spirit of unbelief, fear and doubt.

Before we begin, be aware that the process or the way to becoming born again is very simple and straight forward. God has done all the difficult part through His Son Jesus Christ. What you are getting is a finished product.

Your part is to listen, believe and receive. Symbolically, look at it this way; God through His Son has cooked the food, set the table and is inviting you to come and dine with Him. One spiritual birth is all you need and your salvation is secured forever.   

Know that, every man must will his entrance into the new life that God is offering to mankind through Christ (Mark 9:45; John 7:17; 1 Timothy 2:4). We must all will our salvation or damnation.

God has giving to each and every human being an equal opportunity to choose life in Christ or death in sin (1Timothy 2:3-6). Sinful man cannot save himself; man has gotten himself too dirty to make himself clean and too deep to get himself out.

Sin is cancerous and only fools make mockery of it. Heaven is open to all even though, not everyone may want to be in heaven.  

According to the word of God, “whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” And anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is considered to be a liar and antichrist (1 John 2:22): 

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (1 John 5:1). 

To believe that Jesus is Christ is to receive Him as portrayed in Scripture: the anointed of God and Savior of the world. It is also to identify Him as the Christ; the expected Jewish Messiah whose coming fulfils all prophesies. Anyone who says he believes must belief from the heart. Belief must exceed the sphere of sensible observation and beyond mere intellectual assent and acknowledgement. Lastly, such must be evidenced by acceptance and confession.

Until Jesus came, the Mosaic Law served as God’s standard of righteousness for all men. But, when He fully fulfilled the law, the law was laid to rest forever. Jesus was made a curse for all humanity by dying on a shameful cross; therefore, all who come to God through His faith are redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:19; Romans 10:4). They are dead to the law, and it does not matter whose law.

Righteousness in the sight of God is not found in natural religion and neither is it found in revealed religion (Romans 1:19,20; 3:1-2). It is only found in the Gospel of Christ or in Christ Jesus (Romans 1:16-17).

The Gospel is God’s love letter to the world. The Gospel reveals two important blessings for mankind; one, that Jesus died for our offenses and two, He was raised again for our Justification.

God declared His righteousness when He punished the sins of mankind in the person of His Holy Son. As a result, God is just in justifying any sinner who places his faith in His Son. This is the central message of the Gospel of Christ; if one died for all, then all died (2 Corinthians 5:14). As already mentioned, Jesus Christ is the glory of God personified (John 1:14).

Anyone who is willing can meet the holy requirements of God through Christ Jesus; Jesus Christ is the one stop for all human needs. In Him, there is an abundant grace and provision for all who come to God to be saved from their sins (Romans 3:24).

According to the Scriptures “by the righteousness and obedience of one man (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:15-19). What qualifies a man as holy or righteous is not his own works but, by his faith in the faith of the only Son of God:

“For therein is the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith” (Romans 1:17; cf. 4:25).

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22).  

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (Romans 10:9-10).  

As already stated, belief must be evidenced or followed by confession; you must establish your belief by confessing the same.

Believing and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is all that is required for any sinner to be saved (born again). When your faith joins the faith of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:17; 3:22), there is the imputation of sin to the righteous Lamb of God and conversely, imputation of righteousness you.

Each and every believer seeking to be born again must demonstrate agreement and acknowledgement to the truth believed by professing same. Faith is imputed as righteousness to all those who come to God through Christ (Acts 2:36).

Confessing Jesus as Lord is the voice of a heart that is full of faith; remember, words are expression of thoughts. Belief is acceptance, and confession is a sign; hence, belief and confession ratifies the completed work of Christ on your behalf.

By your faith and confession, God is free to transfer all that Jesus has done and accomplished into your account; they become yours. Now, follow the instructions from the word of God; just do what the scripture says: 

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:8-13; cf. Revelations 3:20).  

Jesus cannot be your Savior if you are ashamed to be identified with Him.

Open your mouth and confess Him as your Lord and Savior right now — say it. Also, ask Him to forgive you all your sins. By this confession, you secure your name in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 20:15; 19:9). If you are in doubt as to what to say let me help you.

Here is a sample prayer, feel free to use as your own: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for my salvation. Forgive me all my sins and cleanse me with thy precious blood. I from this moment accept you as my Lord and personal Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen. 

Congratulations if you did. Jesus said the new birth is like the passing wind, the wind can only be heard or observed, but cannot be seen or explained.

So go ahead and enjoy your new life in Christ. You have obeyed the voice of God, and done exactly what He said you should do. Be assured that God has also done His part. You are set for life here and hereafter. Accept your salvation and never doubt again. God is faithful:

“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

 You are born again by believing and ratifying the same by your confession.

Consider yourself a Christian. Isn’t it amazing? Is it that simple? Yes, this is the way God works.

Please, share this truth by telling others about this site and may you be abundantly blessed in the year 2011. Amen