Are You Born Again (Saved)?

READ THE FOLLOWING TO BE SURE.

John 3:1-3 (NIV) says “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.' Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'”

Romans 3:23 (NIV) says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 5:8 (NIV) says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 6:23 (NIV) says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 14:6 (NIV) says “Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'”.

Romans 8:1-17 (NIV) says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Romans 10:8-10 (NIV) says “But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 12:2 (NIV) says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

GOD'S GIFT OF SALVATION IS FREE.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Don't procrastinate. Today is your day to be saved and Heaven will be your future home. To be saved, simply speak out loud the following prayer and mean it from your heart.

Lord Jesus,

I'm a sinner and my sins deserve judgment. Thank you for paying the penalty for my sins with your death on the cross. I ask you to forgive my sins, come into my life and cleanse me. Thank you for saving me, Jesus, for giving me a new start today and for helping me to live for you. In your name I pray. Amen.

If you said this prayer and meant it from your heart, do the following:

• Immediately tell someone else what you just did to confirm your salvation.

• Acquire a Bible and begin reading it every day to renew your mind and grow in the Lord. We recommend that you begin with the Gospel of John and the Book of Romans to gain a thorough understand of who Jesus is and what your salvation means.

• Find a Bible believing and Bible teaching church that can disciple you and help you grow in your faith.

• As soon as possible, be baptized. When you do this, you are making a public declaration that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and are a follower of Christ.

You are now a Child of God. Welcome to the family.

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What Is The Character Of A True Christian?

CHRISTIANS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF GOOD PEOPLE.

Romans 16:2 (NIV) says “I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.”

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT WORLDLY IN THEIR

ACTIVITIES, ATTITUDES OR SPEECH.

Ephesians 5:3-4 (NIV) says “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

CHRISTIANS LIVE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL.

Philippians 1:27 (NIV) says “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”

CHRISTIANS ARE MODEST IN THEIR APPAREL.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NIV) says “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

CHRISTIANS STRIVE TO BE LIKE CHRIST.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV) says “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

1 John 3:3 (NIV) says “All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.”

DOES YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK

DEMONSTRATE THESE CHARACTER TRAITS?

If not, begin today to cultivate these character traits in your life because you may be the only Jesus that some will ever see and you may be the only words of life that some will ever read. So, let them see Jesus in you because He is the only one they will ever need.

 

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Do You Have A Worldly Attitude?

1 John 2:15-16 (NIV) says “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”

Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior – the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy.

Worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by three attitudes:

1. The Lust Of The Flesh - preoccupation with gratifying physical desires;

2. The Lust Of The Eyes - craving and accumulating things and bowing to the god of materialism;

3. The Pride Of Life - boasting of what you have and/or do – obsession with one’s status or importance.

When the devil tempted Eve (Genesis 3:1-6), he tempted her in these 3 areas. Also, when the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, these were his three areas of attack (See Matthew 4:1-11).

By contrast, God values self-control, a spirit of generosity, and a commitment to humble service. It is possible to give the impression of avoiding worldly pleasure while still harboring worldly attitudes in one’s heart.

It is also possible, like Jesus, to love sinners and spend time with them while maintaining a commitment to the values of God’s Kingdom.

ASK YOURSELF THESE 6 QUESTIONS

1. Am I of this world?

2. What is my attitude toward the world?

3. Am I being deceived by worldly attitudes that rob me of the joy and reality of Christ in my daily living?

4. Am I putting myself in a place of danger that could ruin my testimony, my work, my home, or my relationships?

5. Am I severely being defiled by the world?

6. Am I creating divisions instead of encouraging spiritual unity?

WHAT VALUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Do your attitudes and actions reflect the world’s values or God’s values? Take a little time and think about this. It could be life changing!

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Sins Versus Signs Of Love.

LIST # 1

SINS OF SEXUAL ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR:

• Sexual Immorality;
• Impurity;
• Lust;
• Evil Desires;
• Greed.

Colossians 3:5 (NIV) says “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

This Scripture tells us to “Put To Death” all these sins of sexual attitude and behavior. They are particularly destructive because of what they do to destroy any group or church.

LIST # 2

SINS OF SPEECH:

• Anger;
• Rage;
• Malice;
• Slander;
• Filthy Language.

Colossians 3:8 (NIV) says “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

This Scripture tells us to “Rid Ourselves” of all these sins of speech. This would also include lying. These are the relationship breakers.

LIST # 3

SIGNS OF LOVE:

• Compassion;
• Kindness;
• Humility;
• Gentleness;
• Patience;
• Forgiveness.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV) says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

This Scripture tells us to “Clothe Ourselves” with all of these signs of love. These are the relationship builders which we are to express as members of Christ’s body.

As Christians, we represent Christ at all times – wherever we go and in whatever we say or do.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you?

Would you make any changes in your life in order to honor Christ?

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