When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. We are all spiritually dead when we are born. We are body, soul and spirit. Since we are born with a dead spirit, our soul is in control most of the time.
Since the seed for all mankind was within Adam, the curse of death was passed onto us. We know the wages. We are born with our soul in control of us.
When difficult times come we look to the heavens for help. We may as well just go to church and we might hear this verse:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Do you understand this verse because it shouldn’t be taught out of context the next verses really should more light on it.
Also, understanding our triune nature is important. The everlasting life but it’s talking about here is not eternal life for the body.
When we become regenerated or born again our spirit is born. That which was dead becomes alive. Now the spirit can rule over the soul.
How do you know when a person has been regenerated or born again? It depends on how they receive Christ. If they do it with an intellectual knowledge and no sorrow it’s not a rebirth because there’s no sorrow for sin.
In a true born again experience, there is godly sorrow. When a person is properly presented the gospel, he or she will see their need for a savior and be sorry about sin.
Intellectual acceptance of Jesus will not quicken the spirit. One can never reach salvation with intellect. This is a problem for thinkers who believe that they need to do something to get salvation. Grace doesn’t makes intellectual sense. A high IQ alone nor going through a new believer class will save you. Singing in the choir and donating money to church will not save you. No earthly wisdom or earthly knowledge gained will ever be greater than Godly wisdom & Godly knowledge.
You have to believe with your heart in Jesus not with your head. When your heart is broken when you realize that your sin debt to God is massive but he gave his own blood to pay your debt, then you can make a heartfelt decision for Christ that will result in regeneration of your spirit.
Does this mean that most people going to church are not saved? Possibly! Ask a Christian, are you a good person? That’s the lithmus test. If they answer with a resounding affirmative response, they’re probably not born again and it won’t go well for them when they meet Jesus. Friends, I hate to sound the alarm, but there’s a lot of unregenerated pastors out there too.
If God were to judge you by this standard which is his moral law, you’d probably be guilty in hell will most likely be your destination. The good news is Jesus died for guilty people like you and me. Abandon the silly notion that you’re a good person and put your trust in Jesus. You sinned but he paid the debt. Ask him for forgiveness and ask him to be lord of your life. Ask him for his Holy Spirit to take control of you and live through you.
It’s not until a person can abandon their faults self righteousness and transfer their trust to Jesus that salvation can come.
Maybe some of this has resonated with you. If you’re reading this it’s not too late for you. On a piece of paper write down all the times you have lied. Can’t? Then, you are a liar. Next write down all the times that you’ve taken in gods name in vain. I guess you’re having a hard time doing that too. OK then write down all the times you’ve been sexually immoral. Then add in all the times you’ve disrespected your parents or hated somebody.
You need a savior!
3Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born againb he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
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