DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY – HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. - John 3:16-17.

In his book, An Anthropologist on Mars, neurologist Oliver Sacks tells about Virgil, a man who had been blind from early childhood. When he was 50, Virgil underwent surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out, having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing.

Virgil's first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his habits--his behaviors--were still those of a blind man. Dr. Sacks asserts, "One must die as a blind person to be born again as a seeing person. It is the interim, the limbo . . . that is so terrible."

To truly see Jesus and his truth means more than observing what he did or said, it means a change of identity. - Terry Seufferlein Norman.

Dear friend,
NO ONE can become a Christian, unless they are “Born Again” by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ says... “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:7. The necessity is absolute...you must be “Born Again!” Nothing will take the place of the “New Birth,” neither Water Baptism, nor Confirmation will take this place.

NO PERFORMANCE of religious rites will take the place of the New Birth. A great many people are depending on the fact that they say their prayers, read the Bible, go to Church, join in the sacraments, and perform other duties. None of this will take the place of the New Birth. You can be religious in every teaching, and yet be lost to God forever.

CULTURE, nor REFINEMENT, nor OUTWARD CORRECTNESS of life cannot take the place of the New Birth. The trouble is not merely with our outward life; the trouble is in the heart, in the deepest depths of our inward life. Our attempt to simply reform our outward life will not save us.

Suppose I had a rotten apple, I could take it to an artist and have him paint it until it was the most beautiful looking apple on canvas that you ever saw, and then have him coat it with varnish; but it would just be rotten to the core as ever. One bite into it would be a bite of decay. The trouble is that without Jesus Christ, you are wide of the mark in the heart.

Mere culture, refinement, respectability, morality, is simply a painted coating of varnish on the outside. Change means, going down to the very deepest depths of your being. “Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ John 3:3.

Are you Born Again? Now I think a good many will say, “No I am not. Can you tell me what I must do right now, to be Born Again”... I can.

Our Lord Jesus Christ preached, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15. REPENTANCE is turning from sin to God. The gospel message has power in it to revolutionise your life. In the Bible we read, “As many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His Name.” John 1:12.

WE ARE BORN AGAIN by God’s Holy Spirit, through His Word, the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. When you ask Jesus into your life, He transforms you through and through in a moment! It does not matter to Him if you are the world’s biggest sinner, if you open the door of your heart, and let Him come in to rule and reign in your life, you will be made a New Creation by God Himself.

Loving Heavenly Father, I repent of all the things I have done wrong, my sins. I ask for forgiveness and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. With my confession, your Word tells me that I am a new creation; I am “Born Again.” I thank you that Jesus is now my Lord and my Saviour. In His Name I Pray. Amen.

If you have said this prayer, please tell someone that you have become a Christian, and ask them to help you join a Bible believing Church.

Be Encouraged!
GBYAY