But as many as received him (Messiah Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:        (John 1:12).

Being born again is the starting point of a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.  This relationship is that of a father to his children.  Just as a child is born physically into his/her earthly family, so he/she must be born again spiritually in order to enter the kingdom of God and His heavenly family.  Jesus speaking to Nicodemus, Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

Jesus Christ is the door to the kingdom.  Our entrance to His kingdom is through Him and Him alone.  Jesus told His disciples; I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one cometh unto the Father but by me (John 14:6).

Christ’s kingdom is the place of His rule.  During the church age, His rule is in the hearts of believers (those who have received Him as  Saviour and Lord).   We need a new heart because, the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it (Jeremiah 17:9)?  Jesus taught that out of the heart all manner of sin is conceived.  Our sinful heart condition has alienated us from God.  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man (Matthew 15:18).  We need new hearts.

What does it mean to receive Him and how is that done?  Ephesians 2:8&9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

We are not saved by the church or by our good works.  The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day thought that because they were circumcised, they were the children of Abraham.  They claimed Abraham as their Father, but Jesus declared to them: If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.  Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?  He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God (John 8:39-47).

Those that were depending upon the outward sign of circumcision for salvation were called children of the devil by the Lord because they had only religion (external ceremony).  Still, many today depend on ceremony and participation in righteous works for salvation.

Those that had only religion came face to face with the Lord of Glory and did not know Him.  True Christianity is a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Those that know Him, follow Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth.  The apostle Paul wrote, But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God (Romans 2:29).

And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he (the Lord) counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6).  Abraham exercised saving faith before he was circumcised (Romans 4:8-12).  The NT believer is saved the same way Abraham was, by grace through faith plus nothing.

Grace is God’s enabling and unmerited favor.  No one can come to Christ except the Father draw him (John 6:44).  Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing the Word of God.*  The Bible is the written Word of God.

If you want to have a relationship with God through Christ, experience His forgiveness, inherit eternal life, and understand Scripture then you need a starting point.  You must be born again. You must be born into God’s family.

Are you willing to exchange your religion for a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ?  If you are willing, then please do it now.  Talk to God.

But as many as received him (Messiah Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:          (John 1:12).

Salvation is of the Lord!

 *W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN