Born Again and Sure

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "You are born again if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, if you are relying upon a crucified Savior you are assuredly begotten again unto a lively hope." 

We may not comprehend all the movements of the Holy Spirit in our new birth, but we can be sure of our new birth by faith in Jesus Christ. There is mystery involved in our new birth (John 3:8). Jesus taught that people must be born again to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). It is a work of the Holy Spirit changing our hearts to believe in Christ (Romans 10:9).

The Bible confirms what Spurgeon clearly explained. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of him" (1 John 5:1). If you are born again, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is sure evidence.

If you are born again, you believe that Jesus is the Christ. You believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. He died for your sins. He is risen from the dead as your Lord (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The written word of God and your faith in Christ is the evidence. That's certainly true, if you are born again.

If you are born again, the sure evidence is believing in Christ. Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah in the Old Testament and the Christ of the New Testament. New birth finds evidence by faith in Christ. That's the reason Spurgeon said, "You are born again if you believe Jesus is the Christ." 

Know God as Father

J.I.Packer wrote, "What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father." 

Jesus said, "No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:27). 

Packer taught, "Sonship to God is not, therefore, a universal status into which everyone comes by natural birth, but a supernatural gift which one receives through receiving Jesus."

Dr. Packer was right! Being a Christian is knowing God as your Father. God's grace enables us to repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30; 16:31). The Holy Spirit comes into your life to know God as your Father. 

"You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16).

Jesus Christ came into this world that all believers may know God as Father. Trusting Christ gives us a relationship with God as our Father. Believers are children of God the Father through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

Change Your Mind

God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Charles Spurgeon explained, "To repent is to change your mind about sin and Christ and all the great things of God." He went on to say, "The person who truly repents is never satisfied with his or her repentance. We can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly."

When you repent, there is a change of mind about sin and Christ. You knew that you were a sinner who had fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). You knew that only the Lord Jesus Christ could save you from the curse of sin and the power of sin. Repentance is turning from the sin of unbelief to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

Christians are not perfect people in this life. We are still tempted and sin from time to time. Therefore, when you repent, you confess your sins to God. Then, you find fresh cleansing from your sins, through the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9).

Spurgeon said, "To repent is to change your mind." As you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through Bible study, your mind is changed by receiving more truth from the word of God. That is one reason Spurgeon taught that "we can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly." You receive more understanding in "all the great things of God."

The Gospel Is Christ

The word gospel simply means good news. It's the good news of God to all nations, about the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It's good news because Christ died on the cross to save us from the judgment of our sins. It's good news because God gives us eternal life, through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is risen from the dead to give believers everlasting life (Romans 6:23).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all. Yes, all are sincerely invited to Christ. Most assuredly, the gift of eternal life in Christ is certain for all who repent and believe. Therefore, the gospel must be preached to all nations and people without exception (Matthew 28:18-20).

If the gospel of Christ is for all, why are all not saved? Jesus answered the question. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). All people will simply not come to Christ, but many are certain to come to Him. All who do so will never be turned away (John 6:37).

The gospel for all people certainly doesn't imply that anyone is saved without responding to the gospel. It does mean that the death of Jesus Christ for our sins effectively saves all who believe. Christ risen from the dead saves all who call upon him (Romans 10:9-13). Therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ must be preached to all nations and people (Mark 16:15).