As I wrote earlier, I recently finished reading a book by Charles Leiter entitled Justification and Regeneration.  It is inexpensive on Amazon  (link: Justification and Regeneration (Expanded Edition): Charles Leiter: 9780981732152: Amazon.com: Books).  I suggest that you take the time to read this book.

Pastor Leiter cites John 3:3-8 as Scriptural support for the new birth.  A Christian is “born” a second time.  There are five aspects to the “new birth.”

First, the new birth is radical.  When a believer is born in the spiritual realm, they begin to exist and live in the spiritual world.  For all eternity nothing will ever be the same for a believer again.  To be “born again” is to be someone we never were before.

The second aspect is the new birth is a real birth.  See John 3:6.  The reality of the new birth has tremendous implications.  First, it is why any genuine believer does not live in sin (sin defines who they are).

Second, it shows that a real believer is not a sinner (Luke 6:32-34) but a saint 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 5:3).  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: Of course, this does not mean that a Christian never sins or is never enticed by sin.  But, a believer’s true nature loves holiness so they feel miserable when they sin. 

The third aspect is the new birth is sovereign.  The new birth depends on God’s will and not on man’s will.  John 3:8.  Pastor Leiter points out that the only reason any of us is a Christian is that the wind of God sovereignly blew in our hearts.  The wind blows where it wishes.

The fourth aspect is the new birth is always known.  The movement of God’s Spirit is evident by the effects it produces.  While the movement of the Holy Spirit is different in each believer, the effects are always visible.

The fifth aspect is the new birth is mysterious.  John 3:8.  We cannot predict how the Holy Spirit is going to work.

If you are unsure about your salvation or are not a Christian, it is vital that you continue reading.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION

If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ).  At Amazon the book link is  https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 .  I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book.  The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .

IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN

… please (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word.  If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ. 

God’s Plan of Salvation

In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe.  As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him.  For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve.  But Adam and Eve sinned, whereby sin was passed down to all of humankind so that we became sinners separated from God.  Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.   

Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God’s only unique Son.  While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation.  Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice and exhausted God’s wrath against every believer.  He now calls all unbelievers to repent of their sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save them. 

If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God. 

Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25;  Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.

 “Sinner’s Prayer”

Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life.  I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell.  But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven.  I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation.  Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior.  Thank You so much for saving me.  I am now Yours forever!

(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).

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