Still On Being Born Again

       Asking a sister in Christ what had changed since she became 'born again' a couple of years ago, she replied, that she has peace and a confidence she never knew before. That is an amazing testimony! But, how has her lifestyle changed? To that, she said 'Not much', as she believes the death of Christ on the Cross absolves her of any past or future guilt. Therefore, she believes, she can continue to live her life as before since she is not hurting anyone! 

       Many, sadly, within the Body of Christ believe they can live as they please as long as they are not hurting anyone, they are clear and on their way to Heaven. These lose sight of the fact that coming to Jesus Christ is not meant to be business as usual but a complete turnaround from who they were. We indeed are to come to Christ as we are, but we are not expected to remain as we were! 

       Beloved, the nature we carried before coming to the Lord Jesus Christ must be put to death so we can truly live and display the life of Christ in us! Without this, it makes a mockery of our being 'born again'! "And although you were at one time estranged and alienated and hostile-minded [toward Him], participating in evil things, yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach—" (Colossians 1:21-22, AMP). This means, our sins were purged as a result of His Blood that He shed for us (1 John 1:7b); and our old nature that controls our behavior and forms our character was put to death as a result of His death on the Cross. 

       Belief in His death provided for us a new nature; meaning, we become a new man with Christ living inside us! The old nature or old man cannot stand before God, neither can it reside in the Kingdom of God no matter how much we desire it to: "The mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God" (Romans 8:7-8, AMP). This calls for us to stop awhile and ponder! Knowing that a day will come when we will leave this earth, where will you land in eternity? You may think the soon coming of Jesus Christ is a myth or it is far, it doesn't matter; it is still going to happen! 

      It is sad that many jest about these things. But no matter how much jesting we do, a day of reckoning is coming for every human! Beloved, where will you end up after all is said and done on this earth? We know there are two destinations and every day we have the Grace to wake up, it draws that reality closer to us. Being 'born again' is not enough! You must live the reality that indeed your old life is gone, and the new life you live is Christ! 

       In one of His teachings, Jesus told us: “Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able" (Luke 13:24, AMP). Beloved, the fact that you go to Church and speak 'Christianese' does not mean you are in the Kingdom. Only if Christ is in you, then you are in the Kingdom! Jesus told us to 'strive', meaning we must make every effort to enter. This tells us that there will be opposition to us not entering. There must be a push on our part to enter. He said many desire to enter but will not because they think they can by their effort through their works. But we enter by faith in His death for us, thus, He residing in us: "However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]" (Romans 8:9, AMP). 

       Therefore, it is not business as usual when you claim to be 'born again', but everything about you must change to reflect this new reality. You cannot be an advocate of the world and its systems by the way you live and still claim to be part of the Kingdom of God and His Christ: "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude" (Colossians 2:6-7, AMP). 

       Finally Beloved, the decision to live for Him sincerely is made on this part of eternity. Do make the decision and continually believe in what He did for you and I on the Cross, thereby living a life worthy of Him: "Yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach— [and He will do this] if you continue in the faith, well-grounded and steadfast, and not shifting away from the [confident] hope [that is a result] of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which [gospel] I, Paul, was made a minister" (Colossians 1:22-23, AMP). May you continue to grow and experience His life of victory as He leads you in all that you do, in Jesus Christ name, Amen! God bless you.