YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Jesus tells us that the gates of glory are closed to us unless we

are born again. Therefore we ask: Friend, are you born again? Church

member, are you born again? If not, then you are lost. For Jesus says,

". . . Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God"

John 3:3. Surely no one wishes to die a sinner, or perish; then you

must be born again.

But you may ask, what is being born again? First we will say what

it is not. It is not baptism, for some were baptized and yet not born

again (Acts 8:18-25). It is not joining the church, for some slipped

in unawares. (Gal. 2:4). It is not eating of the Lord's table, for

some ate unworthily and it brought condemnation. (I Cor. 11:29). It is

not reform or trying to live better. ". . . for many, I say unto you,

will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Luke 13:24. It is not

praying, for Jesus says, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their

mouth and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from

me." Matt. 15:8.

Someone may say, "If I try to do all I can; giving to the poor,

visiting the sick, and be as good every day as I can, then surely I am

born again." No, we cannot be what we are not; " for the carnal mind

is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7). We

must have a change of heart. For God by the prophet says: "A new heart

also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I

will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you

a heart of flesh" Ezek. 36:25.

Well, then we ask, what is the new birth? Why call it a birth? How

and when do we receive it? Jesus says, "That which is born of the

flesh is flesh . . ." John 3:6. Like begets like. When a child is

born, a new life comes forth, that which has never been, a new person,

but in the flesh. So likewise when we are born again, a new life in

Christ Jesus after the Spirit comes forth. That which has never been,

it compares in this respect with the natural birth, therefore is

called a birth-a new life in Christ Jesus which is to live forever,

for Jesus says: "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never

die. . ." John 11:26. do not we with Nicodemus cry out and ask, "how

can these things be?" John 3:9.

Again we must acknowledge the fact that Jesus expressed, "with men

it is impossible but not with God." For if we come to God, lost,

Burdened, vile, a sinner, carnally minded, without peace of heart,

longing for rest and peace, in our distress we cry with the jailor,

"what must I do to be saved?" Then Paul said, "believe in the Lord

Jesus." Note, this man was at his wit's end. His question would

suggest, "I will do anything to be saved." That is a full surrender.

God who looks on the heart, sees that you would not only say,

"Lord, Lord." then not do what He says, but would obey and live for

Him. God comes to you through the power of the Holy Ghost and create

with you a right spirit. (Psalm 51:10). Thus you are born again-a new

creature in Christ Jesus by faith in Him. (II Cor. 5:17).

But when may I expect to be born again? God says by the Holy Ghost,

". . .Today, if ye will hear his voice," (Heb. 3:7). That means at any

age, time or place if we hear the call, come. We may come, and be born

again by the Spirit thus becoming the children of God, heirs of God

and joint heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:14-17).

But how long will it take, must I not grow into the new birth? No,

no dear reader, we are born into the kingdom of God; that makes us

children and heirs, and may take place the moment we surrender all and

come to Jesus for mercy, and pardon.

Finally: How may I know that I am born again? Paul in II Cor. 13-5

teaches, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your

own selves. know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in

you, except ye be reprobates?" Therefore in proving the unregenerated,

the Bible teaches that they ar dead in sin, lost, condemned, having an

evil conscience, carnally minded, without hope, disobedient, without

God in the world, children of the devil. Contrariwise, a born again

Christian is a child of God, alive in Christ, saved, having no

condemnation, having a good conscience, spiritually minded, filled

with the Holy Ghost, and faith, with a hope of everlasting life. their

sins are blotted out and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Their hearts

are filled with love and the peace, which passeth understanding, they

love, desire, and have power to do the Lord's will. They cherish a

hope beyond the grave, and the promise of: ". . . I will come again

and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

John 14:3. So we ask, could anyone go through such a change and not

realize it? Hardly. For "the spirit itself beareth witness with our

spirit, that we are the children of God." Rom. 8:16.

Dear reader, if you do not cherish this experience and life in your

soul, do not rest in ease, for you are trifling with God and your own

soul. YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

GOSPEL TRACT AND BIBLE SOCIETY

of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite

Moundridge, Kansas 67107 U.S.A.