New Birth vs. Stillbirth

Scripture:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

Observation:

Jesus is explaining an essential for entering Heaven. Everybody experiences natural birth, but unless you also experience a second spiritual birth, which is just as real and profound, you will not enter Heaven. In other words, if your not born again when you die, you will go to hell. OUCH!!!!! That sounds so harsh it hurt for me to type it! The new birth is a miracle that takes place by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is a miracle!

Application:

When I read this, I thought about the importance of the new birth, and how it is very rarely talked about and emphasized. I started thinking about how people believe they can be saved without being born again. Have you ever heard someone say this, "Ya I'm a Christian, but not one of those extreme born again types"?

I found 10 reasons that people in Christian churches, think they're going to Heaven, that have nothing to do with New Birth:

1. I'm a good person

"I'm a pretty good person, God could never send me to hell."

2. Sinner's prayer or altar call

"Hey, I repeated the "Sinner's Prayer", and I repeat it every Sunday just in case."

3. Feeling saved

"I feel saved, things are going pretty good."

4. Good deeds

"I do a lot of good deeds, like helping out at church."

5. Religion

"I'm extremely religious."

6. Denominations/Traditions

"Hey, I'm a Baptist Christian, all Christians go to heaven, I got saved when I was a baby."

7. Financial blessing

"I'm being blessed financially, God must love me."

8. Position or Title

"I have been an elder/pastor in my church for years."

9. Spiritual Gifts

"I have spiritual gifts, that's proof I'm saved."

10.Profound emotional/spiritual experience

"I was visited by an angel."

The problem with these 10 things is that you can have any one of these be true but still end up in hell. All these things might be present in a true believers' life, but none of them are a solid foundation to stand on. But the Bible tells us that EVERY SINGLE person who is born again is going to Heaven for sure! And how do you become born again? By turning from your sin and putting your faith in Jesus Christ alone, it's so simple, but only happens by the power of the Holy Spirit at work! It's all made possible by the grace of God. Becoming a child of God is not necessarily something we do, it is all the work of God.

John 1:13 (Amplified)

Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh (that of physical impulse) nor to the will of man (that of a natural father), but to God. (they are born of God!)

John 11:43-44 (ESV)

... he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

So what would be solid reason for someone to be sure he's going to heaven? How about this: "I have been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, made alive in Christ, transformed by the power of God, given a new heart that loves Jesus and hates sin."

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for making me a new creation. Thank you for your grace and mercy. I am the last person to deserve salvation. Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for my sins. I pray for those who are not born again, that they would be made alive in Christ. Help me to tell others about the love of Jesus. In Jesus name Amen.