Being Born Again

By Apostle Francis Zziwa – Kaliiti Discipleship Center

What does it mean to be born again?

The expression “born again” literally means to be born from above, to be born of God. Jesus makes a clear distinction between natural birth and spiritual birth:  “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” John 3:6. Apostle John tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” John 1:12.

The condition needed for us to get this right to become children of God is to receive Jesus by His spirit into our lives. On the basis of believing, we are then able to receive Jesus and thus become born again: not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but the will of God. That way, we are born from above or born again!

What must I do to become born again? 

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. John 3:1-9. This man came to Jesus by night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” v.2 Jesus answered and said to Him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” v.3 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” v.4 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.” v.5-7. Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

What happens when I become born again? 

Once I am born again, that is, born from above, I am:

• Delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the son of His love. Colossians 1:13
• I do not sin willfully because I have been born of God. 1 John 3:9. His seed remains in me and I guard myself against sin and the evil one cannot touch me. 1 John 5:18
• I have love for others because I know God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1John 4:7
• I live in victory. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4
• I am a spiritual being. Jesus said “That which is born of spirit is spirit” John 3:6
• I now live in the supernatural realm (Ephesians 1):

With every spiritual blessing from God v.3

Redemption through His blood v.7

Forgiven of sins v.7

Revelational knowledge.

A supernatural inheritance v.11

Supernatural wisdom and knowledge of God v.17

Supernatural company because I’m seated in Christ, in heavenly places. Eph 2:6

Equal access with all mankind to God the Father through Jesus Christ the son. Eph 2:18

• I’m free because I have been born again according to the spirit. Galatians 4:31
• I become a child of God. John 1:12-13

Why must I be born again?

Jesus said unless you are born again:

You cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3.

You cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5 

So, the prerequisite for seeing and entering the kingdom of God is being born again.

Note:

Being born again means: I receive the Lord Jesus Christ into my life and believe in His name. John 1:12. After that, nothing can destroy my born-again relationship with God because it is based on the word – which is the incorruptible seed of God, that which is totally reliable. By faith, we also receive the promises of God’s word and receive Jesus into our life.

What next after being born again?    

Jesus says that once we believe, we have eternal life. John 3:16

Many people (Christians) are in church, but they have never had this experience of being born again. They have never had an encounter with Jesus and their spirits have never been regenerated. They are following because of a friend or a family member, or they just want Jesus to meet their needs someday. During my recent trip to Northern Uganda and west Nile, I asked a young lady who is a minister in the church choir, “When did you get born again? Her answer shocked me! She answered, “I was born when I am born again! What she meant was she was born when her parents are born again and she grew up in that atmosphere.

It however doesn’t work like that. Each one of us must have a personal experience with Christ. If you follow the Christ of your father or mother, you are simply in a religion. Each soul/ individual needs to have an experience with Christ Jesus and His saving power and grace. You need to be able to remember when you got born again. It should be a personal experience with God.

Amen!