January 30, 2013



    •  Jan 30 Verse on my Calendar
       

      A simple reading of the passage tells the story.  Believing there’s a God is not sufficient for salvation.  The Jews also believe there’s one God, and so do the liberal denominations who teach that you don’t have to be born again to be saved.  It takes the belief that He sent His son to die for us, and that His death was sufficient to save us.  When we believe that, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and will usually produce fruit of some kind in our lives.

      People who say we have to generate good works to “prove” we’re saved are misinterpreting this verse.  Jesus said that the only work God requires of us is to believe in the One He sent (John 6:28-29) and the Bible is clear that salvation is based on belief alone.  John 3:16 is one of many examples. (from http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/understanding-james-219/)

       
      "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
       
      As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “’I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:3-7).

      The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12,13 indicates that "born again" also carries the idea "to become children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

      The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?" The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins..." (NKJV). To the Romans in Romans 3:23, the Apostle wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, a person needs to be born again in order to have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.          from http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html