I Peter 1:23 – “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
The world is filled with religion. Several different sources identify approximately 4,200 religions in the world.[i] What makes Christianity different from other religions? With all the different teachings and philosophies, is it possible to know the truth? The Word of God answers these questions. Jesus instructs us in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” True freedom comes when we gain a knowledge of the truth. How do we come to know the truth? John 16:13 gives us the answer, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
The Bible teaches true Christianity is more than just a formal set of rules and regulations. We enter into the Kingdom of God by experiencing the new birth. We are born into this kingdom by the Spirit of God. John 3:3 says, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
What does it mean to be born again by the Spirit of God? It is an experience that takes place when we invite Jesus to become Lord and Savior of our lives. Warren Wiersbe says, “The only way to enter God’s family is through birth. Jesus said, “you must be born again” (John 3:7). When we experience the new birth, we are transformed. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
The moment you are born again you become a member of the family of God. The Apostle wrote these enlightening words in Romans 8:15-16, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but 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.” We know the truth because the Spirit of Truth brings an inner knowing that we are the children of God.
[i] Retrieved from the internet 1/1/2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religions_and_spiritual_traditions
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