How to Be Born Again? Need to Gain Truth From God

By Yan Xi

At the mention of rebirth, I believe that the brothers and sisters in the Lord all know it and may think of the exchange between the Lord Jesus and Nicodemus recorded in the Bible, “Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:3-4). We all know that the so-called rebirth is absolutely not the meaning of being born again from his mother’s womb as what Nicodemus comprehended. Then, what does the rebirth mean? Some brothers and sisters believe, “The lord Jesus has taken on our sins. We have gained the Lord’s redemption by belief in Him and are no longer condemned by the laws. Because of this we are reborn.” And some brothers and sisters believe, “As long as we weep bitterly, repent and confess all the sins we have committed before the Lord, and then accept baptism, the Lord will forgive our sins, and bestow us a new life. Thus, we will be reborn.”

I thought of what the Scripture said: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then, that is to say, real rebirth means that man accepts God’s salvation and has been cleansed of the corrupt disposition. According to these scriptures, it is sufficient to prove that the believers now are out of the state of being reborn. Then, how can we be reborn? What is the path to being reborn?

Later, I constantly examined the scriptures. I saw Jesus said to the Jews believing in Him in John 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” From the Lord’s words we see that it is the truth that can make people free. Only after people gain the truth and have the truth and God’s words as the reality of life are they able to overcome Satan, and completely break free from the bondage and restrictions of sins, so as to never sin again to disobey God or resist God. Thus, they will completely break away from the degenerate life of sinning by day and confessing by night, rely on the truth and God’s words to live, truly obey God and worship God, and live a free and liberate life before God. Because the Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life,” it can be seen that if we want to gain life, we must gain the truth from God first. Those who cannot gain the truth will never receive life, and they will forever be bound and constrained by sins, and become slaves of sins. From this, we can see that our belief that we will receive life through repenting and confessing sins before God and then gaining peace and joy of His forgiveness and we are reborn after being baptized are merely our conceptions and imaginations. This is not in conformity with the truth and the Lord’s will at all.

As we all know, after mankind was corrupted by Satan, God has begun His work of six-thousand-year management to save mankind. In the beginning the work of the Age of Law was carried out in Israel, and God issued His laws and commandments according to the needs of mankind at that time, and led them to live on earth, which made them know some common knowledge about mankind’s life and about living as a man, and how to worship Jehovah God, how to live with others, how to build the temple, and so on. Moreover, He also told them that they would be forgiven as long as they offered up a sin offering after they committed sins. Through this, He restricted them not to commit sins. But, at the end of the Age of Law, men became more and more corrupt, to the extent that they couldn’t abide by the law and didn’t have the best offerings to God since they had committed too many sins. They faced the danger of perishing under the punishments for violating the law. Thus, at the time many people were possessed by demons and afflicted by Satan. God couldn’t bear to see man being trampled and fooled by Satan like this, so He ended the work of the Age of Law and began the new work of the Age of Grace. He personally came to earth in the flesh and became the sin offering for man to redeem man from sins and forgive man’s sins. As long as man believes in Him, accepts Jesus as the Savior, and confesses and repents to the Lord Jesus, then he will get the sin offering bestowed by God so as to be forgiven of his sins and no longer be condemned, and live in the state of peace and joy. However, after believing in the Lord, why do man still live in sins and be unable to put into practice the way of the Lord? What is the reason for this? That is because the Lord Jesus’ work was limited to redemption alone and He did not do the work of judging, cleansing and saving man that God of the last days does. The Lord Jesus’ work was clearly to pave the way for the work of judgment in the last days. Therefore, the Lord Jesus said: “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:12:13). God said clearly that in the last days He would carry out a step of work based on the needs of mankind to provide man truth and life, which is the way to help man thoroughly free from the dark influence of Satan, cast off satanic disposition, and break away from sins, so that he can gain a new life and be reborn from God’s words.

Now the Spirit of truth has come, He is Almighty God incarnate in the last days. On the basis of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus and according to the current condition of man’s corruption, Almighty God has expressed several million words to judge all mankind, reveal and dissect the corrupt disposition of all mankind. If man accepts such work of God, then he will be purified and saved thoroughly, and live out the likeness of a true person according to God’s words. And he will be born again because of this. Just as God says: “If one can truly enter into the reality of God’s words from the matters and the words required by Him, then he will be a person perfected by God. It can be said that the work and the words of God are completely effective for this person, that God’s words become his life, he obtains truth, and he can live according to God’s words. After this the nature of his flesh, that is, the foundation of his original existence, will shake and collapse. After one has the words of God as their life they become a new person. The words of God become his life; the vision of God’s work, His requirements of man, His revelation of man, and the standards for a true life that God requires man to achieve become his life—he lives according to these words and these truths, and this person becomes perfected by the words of God. He experiences rebirth and becomes a new man through His words.” From this we can see that after man accepts the judgment and chastisement of God’s words, is capable to truly know and hate his own satanic nature and substance, and casts off the things of Satan, that is, after the foundation of his original existence begins to shake and collapse, and Satan’s laws for man’s life are replaced by God’s words and the truth, then man can lead a new life according to the standard required by God—only thus can he be the one who truly gets reborn. In real life the root reason why we are unable to practice the words of God, to live at peace with others, to bear with others to achieve loving others as ourselves, and to have the singular love to God is because we are restricted and controlled by our satanic corrupt nature. Things of the nature can’t be restrained by man. Only through the judgment and chastisement of God’s words, the revelation of the facts, and moreover, all kinds of trials and refinements, can they be shaken and changed; finally man is able to cast off these corruptions and live by God’s words. Those who put into practice being an honest person, pursue to love God and submit to God, and act as a true creation of God are the ones God loves, the new creatures through God’s words as well.

Related video:

God says: “Christ of the last days brings life, and brings the enduring and everlasting way of truth. This truth is the path through which man shall gain life, and the only path by which man shall know God and be approved by God. If you do not seek the way of life provided by Christ of the last days, then you shall never gain the approval of Jesus, and shall never be qualified to enter the gate of the kingdom of heaven….” From these words of God we can see that if man wants to enter the kingdom of God, he must accept the words of Christ in the last days as provision of life, for Christ in the last days is the embodiment of truth. These truths are the reality of the truth mankind should possess, are the only path for mankind to be purified, saved and obtained by God and gain life. If we gain all the truths from the words of Christ of the last days, then we will gain life, in the end be brought into God’s kingdom, and inherit the beautiful blessings and promises bestowed by God. However, if man can’t keep up with the footsteps of Christ of the last days, and can’t gain all the truths Almighty God has expressed for man to be saved, then he will never gain life or be approved by God.

Source: Walk in the Light

Read more on our:

What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

6 Important Bible Verses about Being Born Again

Join Our Online Meeting：Click here 

Can We Who Are Saved by Faith Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

By Ma Xiaoxiao

One day, when I preached, I spoke of the great disaster that was going to come. So I exhorted brothers and sisters to attend meetings actively, put more effort in the Bible, and follow the Lord’s way in real life, so that we could watch and wait for the return of the Lord. But I saw some brothers and sisters remain weak and full of doubts whether they could be raptured to the kingdom of heaven. Then I explained, “Brothers and sisters, the Bible says, ‘For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation’ (Rom 10:10). As long as we believe in the Lord in our hearts and confirm our belief in Him with our words, our faith will allow us to obtain eternal salvation. When the Lord comes again, we will surely be raptured to the kingdom of heaven.” Hearing what I said, brothers and sisters were all happy and they had some strength. At this moment, co-worker Zhang stood up and said, “I’m not sure. The Lord Jesus said, ‘But he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven’ (Mat 7:21). This clearly tells us that only those who do the will of God can enter the kingdom of heaven. Although we have been saved, we’re still committing sins during the day and repenting at night. This’s not doing the will of the heavenly Father. I think we still will be unable to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The brothers and sisters were just happy, but a few words of co-worker Zhang quelled their excitement at once. I looked around, thought for a short while, and said hastily, “Brothers and sisters, brother Paul said in the Book of the Galatians 3:26, ‘For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.’ This shows that we believe in the Lord, so we are His children. In that case, we will definitely be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Co-worker Zhang took my words, “Brother Ma, I don’t agree with what you’re saying. 1 Peter 1:16 says, ‘Be you holy; for I am holy.’ And Hebrews 12:14 says, ‘and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.’ From these two verses, we can see clearly that God’s substance is holy. Although we have been saved, we often sin and confess, and we don’t become holy. We are unworthy to see the Lord’s face. How can we enter the kingdom of heaven?”

At this point, brother Chen stood up. He pointed at the Bible in his hand and said seriously, “Brothers and sisters, apostle Paul already told us clearly in the Book of Romans 8:33–34, ‘Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns?’ We have been God’s elects. Both our sins of the past and those of the future have been forgiven by the Lord Jesus. He doesn’t see us as sinners. We have been justified, so we will certainly enter the kingdom of heaven. This is undoubtable. I agree with brother Ma’s point.”

Co-worker Zhang firmly said, “Brothers and sisters, since the Scripture says, ‘and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,’ and the Lord Jesus also told us that only those who do the will of the heavenly Father can enter the kingdom of heaven. This is sufficient to prove that only those who attain holiness can enter the kingdom of God. We must keep the Lord’s word.”

I said loudly, “My fellow co-workers, on the question of being saved, Paul already told us clearly, ‘For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God’ (Eph 2:8). ‘And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work’ (Rom 11:6). Paul’s words are very clear. The Lord’s salvation is freely given to us and does not depend on our works. If this depends on our works, then is that called the Lord’s grace? Now we can rely on the Lord’s grace to be saved into the kingdom of heaven.”

Brother Chen raised his hand and said, “Brother Ma is right. Paul in the book of Timothy also said, ‘Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began’ (2Ti 1:9), so we who believe in Jesus can enter the kingdom of heaven based on His grace. If it were based on our works, who then could be saved?”

Co-worker Zhang stood up with emotion. He said, “Brothers and sisters, whether we believers can enter the kingdom of heaven is decided by what the Lord Jesus said or what Paul said? Is it the Lord Jesus’ words that have authority or Paul’s words? Do we confess that the Lord Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life?” Everyone looked at each other, and said, “Of course we do!”

This word of brother Zhang reminded me. I thought, Right! We believers should focus on the Lord’s words, but why do I keep speaking of Paul’s words? Thinking of this, I calmed down and continued to listen to brother Zhang’s fellowship …

Co-worker Zhang said, “Since we confess that the Lord Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life, and what Paul said opposes what our Lord Jesus said, that would explain what Paul said carries tares. It comes from human will and is not the truth. I would rather believe what the Lord Jesus said, ‘But he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.’ This is the sole standard for entering the kingdom of heaven.”

At this moment, brother Guo also stood up emotionally. He said, “We believers in God should set the Lord Jesus’ words as the standard. Because the Lord Jesus is the only Lord of the kingdom of heaven. His word is the only truth, the only authority. His word carrying authority means what He said counts. Paul is not the Lord of the kingdom of heaven; his word does not carry authority, nor do they count. Paul is nothing more than an apostle, having a corrupt human nature. He himself need God’s salvation. Whether everyone can enter the kingdom of heaven is still decided by the Lord Jesus. What rights does he have to decide if others can enter the kingdom of heaven?”

Seeing everyone nodded their approval, I asked, “Brother Zhang, you’re right. We who believe in the Lord should have the Lord Jesus’ words as the standard. But I do not yet understand the difference between being saved and entering the kingdom of heaven. Could you share your opinion?”

Co-worker Zhang said in a calm way, “I’ve studied this aspect of verses over and over again these few days. I think being saved refers to being free from the condemnation of the law, and that it refers to sins being forgiven. But those who have been saved can still resist and oppose God through sinning, so they don’t become holy and they still live under Satan’s domain, while those who can enter the kingdom of heaven ought to be those who do the will of our Father in heaven, who obey God’s words. They are those who know God and submit to God, who are compatible with Him. So, being saved and entering the kingdom of heaven are two different matters. Just as the Lord Jesus said, ‘many are called, but few are chosen’ (Mat 22:14). This shows that people who come and believe in the Lord are many, but few can enter the kingdom of heaven in the end. It also manifests God’s righteous disposition.”

Brother Guo also said, “I agree with brother Zhang’s point of view. The Lord Jesus said, ‘the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force’ (Mat 11:12). We can see from the Lord’s words that entering the kingdom of heaven has its standard. It’s not so easy to enter as we thought. We can’t get into it just by relying on grace. We must work hard to follow the Lord’s way before entering it.”

Although what they are saying makes sense, I still have doubt in my heart. Then I said, “To enter the kingdom of heaven, we must do the will of our heavenly Father. This is right. But haven’t we been imitating Paul, forsaking everything for the Lord’s work? Even many brothers and sisters never get married, offering their whole life to the Lord. They cross mountains to preach the gospel of the Lord. It can be said that every Christian suffers a lot and pays much price so as to enter the kingdom of heaven. Is this not doing the will of our heavenly Father? I believe that as long as we carry on like this, we will definitely enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Co-worker Zhang put down the Bible in his hand, and he said, “Brothers and sisters, we can study the Bible carefully. The Lord Jesus has never said that if we forsook everything and labored for Him, we would enter the kingdom of heaven. The Lord Jesus only said, ‘But he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.’ I think that those who truly do the will of the heavenly Father should be those who love God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their mind. They work and suffer for the Lord not in order to covet their own benefits and prospects, but completely to love God and repay His love. They can care for God’s will in everything, and whatever they encounter, they no longer sin or resist God. All that they do is in order to break away from sins and become holy. Only such people who work for the Lord will be qualified to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Brother Guo who was in deep thought said, “Brother Zhang is right! The Bible says, ‘he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous’ (1Jn 3:7). The righteous here are not those ‘justified by faith,’ but those who do the works of righteousness and never sin. While we may now lay all aside for the Lord’s work, we still often sin and are not truly righteous. We are not worthy to enter the kingdom of God.”

I didn’t agree with his opinion, so I retorted, “But Paul said, ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness …’ (2Ti 4:7–8). We preach the gospel, toil and labor for the Lord, and keep the Lord’s way. Isn’t this doing the will of our heavenly Father?”

Co-worker Zhang said very calmly, “Brother Ma, based on your opinion, when the Pharisees traveled over land and sea, suffering much for spreading the gospel everywhere, and having some outward good behaviors, were they then doing the will of our heavenly Father? As we all know, the Pharisees suffered and sacrificed outwardly for God, but they could still oppose God and nail Jesus on the cross. That’s sufficient to prove that outward sufferings and good behaviors do not represent doing the will of our heavenly Father, nor do they represent knowing and submitting to God. In the same way, today we suffer for the Lord, we have some good behaviors outwardly, but we can still sin often and resist God. We are still not those who do the will of our heavenly Father, and still not worthy to enter the kingdom of heaven!”

At his words, I was utterly convinced. It is a fact that we all live in sin. When we work for the Lord, we still have our personal intentions and viewpoints of exchange, as well as a desire for blessings. This is also a fact.

Everyone heatedly shared their own views and knowledge on this topic. When our gathering was nearing its end, I said happily to the others, “Brothers and sisters, Thank God. This debate today allows us to understand that being saved isn’t equivalent to entering the kingdom of heaven. It turns around my incorrect point of view. We can’t be saved by grace. I realized that no matter how we believe in God and labor for the Lord, as long as our sins remain, we can’t truly achieve doing the will of God. So we can’t be approved by God, nor can we enter the kingdom of God. It can be seen that God is the God who is holy and righteous. We can’t always believe in God with our own notions and imaginations but should pursue according to the standard for entering the kingdom of heaven that God requires of us. Only in this way, can we finally act in harmony with God’s will, and can our belief in God be approved by Him.” Brothers and sisters all nodded their heads and agreed …

Source: Walk in the Light

Recommended:

What Is the Meaning of the Rapture in the Bible? Does It Mean to Be Taken Up Into Heaven?

Can We Be Saved and Enter the Heavenly Kingdom by Faith Alone?

The Lord has come back. Want to know how to welcome Him and be raptured before the disasters? Chat with us online to get the answer.