What does it mean to be a born again Christian?

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Question: What does it mean to be a born again Christian?

ATP: In the minds of many, a born again Christian is a pushy, obnoxious religious person with some very narrow ideas about the Bible and how people should live their lives. Unfortunately this characterization is often an all too accurate description of people who claim to be born again. But what the Bible means when it uses the phrase “born again” is something quite different.

In biblical terms there is no such thing as a Christian who isn’t born again. While some may prefer not to use the phrase to describe themselves given the stereotypical view some have of those who are born again, if a person truly is a Christian they most certainly are born again.

In John chapter 3 in a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus said, Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus repeated this comment and added emphasis by saying, Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again.

Note the word must.

Being born again is required for eternal life, and it most certainly was the matter of eternal life that is being discussed by Jesus and Nicodemus. Their conversation concludes with Jesus talking about the cross he was going to die on, saying:

The Son of Man (Jesus) must be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

A born again Christian then, is any person who has honestly put their faith in Jesus Christ, asking him to be their Lord and Savior through what he did by dying on the Cross in payment for their sin.

They are some one who is saying to God, “I have nothing to offer you of my own to pay for my sins, but I ask that my sins be forgiven through Christ. My faith and my hope of heaven are totally bound up in him and in nothing else.”

Friend, Jesus died on a cross to pay for the sins of the world, so that all who are willing to take God up on his offer of forgiveness, can experience that forgiveness and the eternal life that goes with it.

Though the payment of the debt for your sin is available through Christ and cannot be earned by your good works, you must do something to access this wonderful gift. You must repent of sin, putting your faith in Christ, and surrender your life to him. If you will do so, you can know today for sure that you are headed for heaven when you die.