2007-01-19 22:45:19 · 18 answers · asked by mikerow992003 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What does it mean to be a born again Christian? The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (a ruler of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night. Nicodemus had questions to ask Jesus.
As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said "...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is 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 a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 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..." To the Romans in Romans 3:23, the Apostle wrote, "For all have sinned and come 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.
How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8,9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." When one is "saved," he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the cross, is what it means to be "born again" spiritually. "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation..." (2 Corinthians 5:17a).
If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need to be born again. Will you pray the prayer of repentance and become a new creation in Christ, today? "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be born again, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!
2007-01-20 17:35:52 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are still living and breathing on this earth, then yes, you can be forgiven. Take some time out and talk to God. It doesn't have to be a conversation full of "thou's and ye's". Just talk to him sincerely in your own way. Christ is always here for us. If you ask Him to come into your life, He will and will never leave you or forsake you. You'll still have hard times, but that's when your faith will be tested. Remember, God might close a door only to open a bigger, wider door. You may desire something that may not be God's will for you, but you must stay faithful and God will bless your life with such abundance. Stay in the word daily, and make christian friends, go to church, listen to positive music and that will help you stay on track. Take care.
2007-01-19 23:02:15 · answer #2 · answered by Unshaken Faith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christ would have me share this: Forgiveness is established as an aspect of divine grace, and is in place (already) as an expression of divine being. There is no action a person may perform to influence GOD, and thereby obtain forgiveness. It's as if you prepared a meal in the kitchen, served up generous portions on plates, delivered them to the dining area. Those who are hungry must now respond with their knife, fork or spoons. The things the guy you describe must do, what you might call "the 'required' actions for forgiveness," are those deeds and works expressing acceptance, acknowledgment, and conformity to the truths of divine existence, and the realities of spiritual damage and loss in his present life. The fact that sexual sins, and sins of appetite are involved does not make any less effective GOD's finished work to extend forgiveness through the life of Jesus Christ. On a daily basis, any sinner is already facing "consequences" that are emotional, psychological and spiritual in their impact. The more important question for you regarding the situation you describe is whether you will forgive this person. There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually embraced. (For example, we are commanded to forgive, yet we are counseled to "be not unequally yoked", and to turn away from from close association with unbelievers.) Even so, I trust this "fragment" will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith. Washington, DC
2016-03-29 05:57:49 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. God will forgive sins up to the point of physical death. Just confess your sins to him (you do not have to be specific in regard to naming each one that you have committed----God already knows). Ask him to forgive you and ask Jesus to come into your heart. Dedicate your life to Christ and ask God to change you. You must be willing to set the old life aside and begin a new life in Christ. Salvation is not an excuse to sin, for every sin has its consequence. Pray every day for peace and guidance and begin reading your Bible every day. I recommend that you go to a bookstore and get a one year Bible, King James Version. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in your Bible reading. God bless you.
2007-01-19 22:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by Preacher 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can. Have you excepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Jesus came to die for sinners like you. I too have had a very sinnful past, that was before I became a Christian. I deserve Hell like everybody else. You can be forgiven that is why Christ died. All you have to do is repent and mean it because God knows if you mean it or not, and you must be willing to turn from them, and ask Jesus to forgive you and invite Jesus into your heart, because Jesus is the only one you can trust. Jesus has the keys to Hell and Heaven and if you pray to the Father in the name of Jesus to forgive you God will. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse you of all of your unrightousness. In the bible it says none of us are rightous, not one. Our Good works are like filthy rags to God. We are all sinners. Which is why God sent his only Son into the world. Jesus came to save those which were lost. Jesus came to set the captives free.
2007-01-19 23:02:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus clearly said, though your sins be Red as scarlet, they will be made white as snow.
I am guilty of 6 sins and my repentance was so Complete, that I forgot i had even done them. 25 years later the lamentation of the memory of those sins became the punishment of my life. im still 3 years or more into the greif process.
2007-01-19 22:51:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
your sins are forgiven
go and sin no more
[is how you proove it]
god never left us ,is besides us ,sustains our very life ,
bless the gift god gave you simply by respecting the gift of life god gave to all
love to do good for god ,loving the child of the mother the father cannot but love you too ,its about respect
we are forgiven by sincere repentance ,to help not hinder gods gifts to live.
2007-01-19 22:53:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes truly they can, but, they would need to repent and turn around to changing their ways if they don't give up their sinful ways then they cannot expect forgiveness.
2007-01-19 23:23:15 · answer #8 · answered by I speak Truth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, & you do it by repenting & being baptized in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ By complete immursion, & receiveing the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, & Trust in God by Faith.
2007-01-19 22:55:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, because there are no gods to have a relationship with; you could pretend, though.
If the 'sins' are actually wrong - stuff that hurts others - you should find a way to make it up to them.
If they're just made up 'sins', to guilt people into religion, there's nothing to forgive.
Isn't life simple?
2007-01-19 22:53:36 · answer #10 · answered by eldad9 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋