DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE BORN AGAIN?
I have told the story a number of times over the years since I have been blogging, of how I came to the Lord. As a 10 year old I was asked one Sunday in Sunday School class, would I like to ask Jesus to “come into my heart”, the previous Sunday all the other children in class has made their “decision for Christ” but I had not been in attendance. So I said yes, and at the end of class was led down to the “Penitent Form” and knelt down, and was led in a “Sinner’s Prayer” when I stood to my feet I knew something dramatic had happened, I couldn’t explain it then but I now can and know I was BORN AGAIN just as Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus in John 3:3 NKJV Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” I was CONVERTED Peter declares in Acts 3:19 NKJV Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and as Paul stated to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV and it was my experience, I WAS A NEW CREATION Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. I experienced what the Bible describes as ASSURANCE OF SINS FORGIVEN in 1 John 5:13 NKJV we read These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.
I can testify with Paul in Romans 8:38-39 NKJV For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I KNOW BECAUSE I KNOW BECAUSE I KNOW, BECAUSE I KNOW
I cannot say I felt deeply convicted because of my sinful life, nor could I say I was consciously aware of the Holy Spirit drawing me,, but MY LIFE CHANGED THAT DAY.
That was 67 years ago this month, and I have never doubted once that I had received the GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE Romans 6:23 NKJV but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We thank God for great men of God like the late Billy Graham, who preached the Gospel around the world and saw tens of millions of people respond to the claims of Christ, were they all “born again”? only eternity will answer that question.
I came to see many years ago that there is nothing “magical” about people raising their hand following the preaching of the Gospel, and going forward and praying “the Sinner’s Prayer”. I shudder when I think of the Preachers who have stated “now you have prayed that prayer you are a Christian”. I believe completely in the power of confession but Paul also says in Romans 10:9 NKJV that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
There was so many things I didn’t seem to do, nor were conscious of yet I was born again, but it would seem that over the years there has been many people who have prayed “The Sinner’s Prayer” and are not born again. I don’t understand why some seem to come so easily to Salvation and yet others seem to struggle, but we do not need to let people be in confusion, we can be used to see the “divine sperma” enter a person’s life and spiritual conception take place. 1 Peter 1:23 NKJV having been born again, not of corruptible seed (sperma) but incorruptible (seed), through the word of God which lives and abides forever
A South African Ministry came to Australia some years ago, and after preaching he would make an “altar call” not just for the unsaved, and backslidden, but also for those WHO WERE NOT SURE!!!!! and literally hundreds would stream forward indicating they were simply not sure if they were saved. It would seem potentially that in many local churches around the world, and in my nation and yours, there are people attending every Sunday and they are “not sure”.
For those who have followed my guidelines regarding Biblical Discipleship know that after I have built that basic bridge of friendship the first area I approach is the area of “assurance of Salvation”. It seems to me in many cases when the Gospel is shared with a person, IT IS THE BEGINNING OF A JOURNEY (PILGRIMAGE) that may takes weeks and months until they come to that place of confession and repentance.
Jesus did not commission the Disciples to go and get people to make decisions BUT TO MAKE DISCIPLES Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
I do not think it is being judgemental that we do not assume a person is born again until he has been Biblically Discipled, and there is the clear evidence of a CHANGED LIFE
As you read this blog today, are you aware of doubts in your mind regarding your salvation? If there is, please speak to a brother or sister, and let them help you to experience that awesome assurance produced by the Holy Spirit that you have the Gift of Eternal life NOW.
I wonder if this blog will create a response.
