Command 43 : Be Born Again | Day 297 Check for Vital Signs!An important procedure takes place as soon as a baby is born. A trained attendant carefully checks specific vital signs to confirm that the baby is alive and well. A similar procedure should be followed when someone is born again. Recently a young man told me, "I went forward in a revival meeting when I was a boy, but it was not from my heart and I knew that I was not saved. Two years ago, I sincerely repented and received Christ as my Savior. Now I know that I am genuinely born again." Being born again is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and is accompanied by visible evidences in the person's life. When I confessed to God that I was a sinner and called upon the Lord Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior at age 10, I did not "feel" any different. However, the next morning I began to experience some of the following Biblical evidences of being born again and having a new nature (see Ephesians 2:1-5): 1. A new awareness of sin. When we are born again, we receive the Holy Spirit. He enables our consciences to discern words, thoughts, and actions that displease the Lord. “Hereby know we that we dwell in him [Jesus], and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (I John 4:13). 2. A new desire to stop doing evil things. Many have said that after being born again they stopped drinking, taking drugs, cursing, being immoral, and committing a host of other sins. This desire to stop sinning comes because “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin [habitually or characteristically]” (see I John 3:9) and is made possible because “whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4). We also have the assurance that “if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (I John 2:1). 3. A new love for God's Word. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2). This evidence was of particular significance to me because I was a very poor reader. However, after being born again, I had a great desire to read the Bible and to apply its truths to my life. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments" (I John 2:3). 4. A new love for fellow believers. At salvation, there is an immediate bond of fellowship with other Christians, because we are now members together of the body of Christ. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. ..." (I John 3:14). 5. A strong desire to witness to others. One of my first recollections after being born again was riding my bicycle around town looking for other young people whom I could invite to the Child Evangelism Fellowship(R) class where I had heard the Gospel. I had a new love for people and concern for their relationship with God. “... Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (I John 4:7). Are these "vital signs" present in your life? What about in the lives of your children? If these evidences are lacking in the life of someone who claims to be a believer, let's make sure he truly understands what it means to be born again. |
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