Penn Free Methodist Church

OUR LATEST ONLINE BIBLE MESSAGE

"Except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3)

What constitutes a true Christian? It is, quite simply, the new birth. A Christian is one who has been born again; but what does this much devalued and abused expression actually mean?

Titus 3:5 helps us to understand. Here Paul says of Christ, "According to his mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost". In this verse we see that the new birth is referred to as 'regeneration'. When a man believes in Christ, he is inwardly regenerated and inwardly washed, as he receives the Holy Spirit to dwell within him.

John 3:3 quoted above tells us that without this inward transformation no one can see God's kingdom, nor obtain salvation, for all by nature have corrupted hearts which prefer sin to holiness. So to be born again, to be regenerated within, is not an option, but the absolute essence of being a Christian.

There are many who despise this teaching of the necessity of the new birth, because it strikes at the pride of those who are trusting in their own imagined goodness, rather than in God's mercy alone. In the 18th century the mightily used preachers John Wesley and George Whitefield were actually banned from many church pulpits, because they emphasised the need to be born again, although it is plain Biblical teaching.

A belief in world peace, equality, human rights, protecting the environment, and the supporting of charities - none of these things can make one into a Christian, nor can any religious ceremony such as baptism, nor can even a general belief that God exists.

No, "Ye must be born anew", says our Lord (John 3:7). You must receive the Spirit, and be inwardly changed. The new birth is God's work, a supernatural act. Our part is earnestly to seek God's face by coming to Christ and turning from all sin. Dear reader, Are you born again?