Now That You Are Saved
There is a big difference between being saved and being born again. When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and confess his lordship over your life, you are saved. Just as we have studies earlier in John 3 vs 18. After being saved it is compulsory to be Reborn which makes you have the life of God; that is to be born again.
“Accepting the lord Jesus Christ is not being born again; is being saved”.
“Accepting the lord Jesus Christ is the preparation for the new birth”.
“And it shall come to pass; whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Act 2 vs 21
Find out more about those who are Christians and yet go from places to places for deliverance, they are not born again they may just be saved, that is confessing the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives.
This is where many stop; even some churches stop here and the other parts which are as important as the first stage are neglected or treated with light action. These other parts are so important that a soul that has been saved can be lost without them, this they did not know.
“Time of ignorance Jesus winked at, now is a time of completion”.
Why do you think the lives of many Christians remains the same both in character and other aspect of life with that same neighbor who don’t even go to church at all? After going for prayer, the power of God work for a while, after few days they are back to the original them. What do you think is going wrong? Do you think Christianity is a region that you just go to church and no change in your life? No it’s not like that.
“You are a human being carrying the Almighty God inside you”.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome calls it “Divinity at work in humanity”.
As a Christian your life ought to radiate the beauty of Jesus Christ, full of God’s blessing, God’s wisdom, God’s love, God’s power, everyone around you should admire and envy you. Don’t you read about papa Abraham and his descendants? The same blessing we carry. If your life is not blessed in all areas and full of power then you are probably missing something.
After being saved, that is after you have receive the Lord Jesus Christ, the next thing is to be born of water and of the spirit.
One night, one of the rulers in the land of Israel came to the Lord Jesus Christ and asked him questions about the kingdom. During this conversation, a very striking word came out of the mouth of the master.
Let’s have a look at the scripture for better understanding of the conversation.
St. John 3 vs 1-3
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
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.
Nicodemus saith unto 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?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Let’s go back again and re- read the conversation again.
This passage is self-explanatory. No riddles, no proverbs, no parable.
What do you say to that? What makes it more concentrated is the word “MUST”.
As it is used in the passage, it is an authoritative, commanding or compulsory statement without negotiations; A matter that has no second option. Wow oooo.
Tell me what you think concerning this! Now let’s reason together.
Let’s accept the matter as it is given to us. If you want to see and enter the kingdom of God, you must be born again simple.
It’s okay if God says that is His criteria for seeing and entering His kingdom. After all, the entire kingdom belongs to Him, so He reserves the rights to dictate what will qualify anyone to see and enter.
The issue here now is not the criteria but the reason for the criteria. “You Must Be Born Again”.
Why must you and I be born again before we can see and enter? We believe in Jesus already, can’t we just live right and do good after giving our lives to Christ to enter? Why must we be born again? Well, firstly; if you had died the moment you gave your life to Christ just like the thief at the right hand side of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross repented and believed in Jesus Christ there will be no need for you to go through this second phase.
Luke 23 v 4
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Living after confessing the Lordship of Jesus Christ makes you vulnerable to some certain things of the flesh and of the devil that could defy your Christian walk and more so, since you are still living, you will need the power of God to overcome trials and temptation even to stand in the midst of trouble targeted against you by the devil.
Secondly; we discussed how man fell, how he could not walk with God, how he is in bondage of sin. Then we talked about the bringing of the law and how the children of the Israel failed and the law could not perfect them before God Almighty.
“It is obvious that man entered into a pit that God could not pull him out by the law”.
In Christ Jesus God made a new life available for all but a man born of Adam cannot receive that life except he is reborn into that life even though his sins have been removed.
Let us read one of the major reasons Jesus came to die for humanity apart from sin.
John 10 v 10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY.
Jesus came to give us the very life of God. This life of God is called Zoe, it is different from the natural human life, this is the very life you have inside you that makes you a child of God. And this life is not passed to us at the confession of the Lordship of Jesus Christ but at the time of birth by the Holy Spirit, the life in us is the spirit in us, the life of God can only be passed to us by the Holy Ghost and that happen at the time of baptism of the Holy Spirit. We pass our life into our children by giving birth to them not by calling a child and asked them to call us father. No matter how long another man’s child lives with us, our life, character, gene, our DNA and our blood type and group cannot be passed to him. So also as long as we have only been washed from our sins, we cannot exhibit the full nature and character of God until we are born by Him. Being born again makes it possible to have the life, the character, the gene, the DNA and the blood (word) of God in our system which makes us the very offspring of God Almighty; this is what it means to be born of God. It’s a reality not a fantasy!
When Are We Converted And Become As Little Children?
In Mathew 18 v 3, it is written “except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”.
When does this conversion take place? During the confession of the Lordship of Jesus Christ or after the baptism of the Holy Ghost? I want you to consider the terminology used by the Lord keenly “except ye be converted”, this is not talking about behaving like little children, He didn’t say “like” rather He said “as”, He is saying “to be transformed to little children”, “to be reborn and become little children”.
The Word “converted” is translated from the Greek word “strephostref'-o”, with strong number: G4762, which means: turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively). The “turn quite around” does not mean to amend ones ways or repenting but reversing a person’s or adult’s nature backward. This is the supernatural transformation that occurs at the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We are transformed and become like little Children when we are born of the Holy Ghost during baptism of the Holy Ghost.
When was the first time God proclaimed Jesus as his Son? Jesus Christ was proclaimed the Son of the living God by God Himself at river Jordan when the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove – Mathew 3 v 17, Luke 3 v 22. When do we receive the power to become the Sons of God as it is written in John 1 v 12? We receive power to become the Sons of God and to do the supernatural when we are baptized in the Holy Ghost – Acts 1 v 8, not when we just believe and confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Apostles believed in Jesus Christ but the Lord still had to tell them to wait for the Holy Ghost so that they can have power. We all need the Holy Ghost to become; the Holy Ghost is the one that gives us power to become all that God wants us to be in Christ.
When do we become spirit beings? At the confession of the Lordship of Jesus Christ or by being born of the Holy Ghost which occurs during baptism of the Holy Ghost? We become spirit beings when we are baptized into the Holy Ghost not when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives by confession.
When we are baptized in Him, He gives birth to us as new born children of the Spirit of God.
God is a spirit;
John 4 v 24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Jesus said “he that is born of spirit is spirit and he that is born of flesh is flesh”.
John 3 v 6 -7
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
If you are not born of the Spirit you are not of the Spirit and therefore you cannot understand the things of the Spirit, Christianity is a life of the Spirit which means you cannot enjoy Christianity. No wonder many Christians don’t understand the Bible; the Bible was written by the inspiration of the Spirit of the Almighty God.
Apart from what the Lord Jesus said here about being born of the Spirit, Apostle Pail said something that strikes my spirit;
Romans 8 v 9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now IF ANY MAN HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, HE IS NONE OF HIS.
Two things here;
Firstly; “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you”.
This means you are not in the flesh if the Spirit of Christ dwells in you but if the Spirit of Christ is not in you, you are in the flesh and they that are in the flash cannot please God.
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God”. Romans 8 v 8
Secondly;
“If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his”.
This one is self-explanatory; if you don’t have the Spirit of Christ you don’t belong to Christ and the Spirit of Christ is the Holy Ghost you receive during the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Do you see why it is important to be born again which is baptism of water and the Holy Ghost? No wonder Apostle Paul asked the believers he met “have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed”?
Acts 19 v 1 -2
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
These people believed in Jesus Christ already but have not received the Holy Ghost; Paul had to tell them about the Holy Spirit and baptized them in water and in the
Holy Ghost. Read it to chapter 6, you will also see the evidence.
Let’s discuss these two major things first.
“He cannot see the Kingdom”
“He cannot enter the Kingdom”
Jesus Christ used these two statements in that passage. You will agree with me that before you can enter into your house, you must see it. If you cannot see it, then you won’t be able to enter.
“What a man cannot see, he cannot have”
Bishop David Oyedepo
You have to see it first. To be able to see it, you must become a spirit being.
“It takes the eyes of the spirit to see spiritual things”.
To have that spiritual eye, the Spirit of Christ has to be inside you. Since you cannot see it, to enter will be difficult. For you to have the Spirit of Christ, you must have Jesus Christ himself. If you have Jesus Christ, you have the way. What are you waiting for? Stop looking at me and walk into the Kingdom of God. It’s all yours.
Note: it is not until you die before you enter into the kingdom of God, once you have Jesus Christ, His Spirit and Baptized in his name, you are automatically in. Even though you are still on earth, you no longer belong to earth.
John 15 v 19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
“To be born again means to confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ, be born of water and of the Spirit”.
“To be born again means to be miraculously conceived and be reborn by the Holy Spirit”.
To be born again means to be baptized in water and be filled with the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues. I am aware of;
1Peter 1 v 23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
And;
John 20 v 31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME.
This does not replace the baptism of the Holy Spirit and of Water as means of being born again as state by the Lord himself in John 3 v 3 and Make 16 v 16. More so, what the Lord himself said is more authentic than what was written by the Apostles based on their knowledge, inability to separate what the Lord said and what the Apostle said can be very misleading. In every strong argument, what Jesus says is the ultimate especially if it conflict with what the Apostles or any other Minister says. Jesus is the King of all and the one we all answer to, the only one that has the power to save us and the only one that knows who the Father really is and what we really need to be qualified as the sons and daughter of the Most High.
If we are to go with John 20 v 31, it will mean that anyone that believes that Jesus is the Christ and is the son of God has ‘Eternal life’. If this is to replace being born again, it will mean that anyone that believes that Jesus is the Christ and is the son of God is born again. If you agree with this, you are saying that the devil is born again because the devil believe and knows that Jesus is the Christ and is the son of God. Even worldly people today believe this and many Christians believe it in this form but I wonder most of the time why their lives are far from what the Bible says it should be and among them are those who are looking for deliverance everywhere. So you are saying they are all born again? We both know this is not true. Being born again is clearly stated by Jesus Christ the Son of the living God; to be born of water and of the Spirit by baptism, “he that believes and is baptized’ and ‘you must be born of water and of the Spirit”.
The saved Christian that is a man that has accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ who has forsaken his sinful life is as good as the Man Jesus walking on the street of Nazareth without the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ was just like every other Israelite until the Holy Ghost descended on Him. Without the Holy Ghost, Jesus had no power as the Son of God.
The born again Christian is a Christian that has accepted the Jesus as his Lord and savior and is baptized in water and filled with the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues. This is what makes you a brand new child born into the kingdom of God.
Mark 16 v 16
He that believeth AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Jesus Christ became a super being after the Holy Ghost came upon him. The same power is what Jesus said we would receive after we receive the Holy Ghost.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” – Act 1 v 8
When you believe in Jesus Christ you are released from the bondage of sin, Satan and all his afflictions but it is the Spirit of Christ living in you that makes you super hero over Satan and all his demons, giving you the ability to walk with God and understand the things of the Spirit.
Now it’s no longer the devil afflicting you, you can now afflict the devil, torment him and all his demons. Isn’t this beautiful? You can take full revenge on him now.
When I woke up to the reality of my authority in Christ Jesus, from that day, I always wake up smiling and saying “It feels good to be a king”.
I tell Satan he is in soup!!!!!!!!!!!!
You too can be that way. When you get to know that you are higher than the devil and all his demons you will begin to speak authoritatively over them, you will no longer be afraid of him by running from one deliverance minister to another. Being born again, that is born of water and the Spirit is what put you over the devil for real.
We are raised far above all principalities and powers by the Spirit of God. I always see myself sitting in the heavenly places with the sons of God, knowing that I possess the qualities of the sons of God changed my walk and everything around me into a higher dimension.
That is what I call “awaken to the reality of my inheritance in Christ Jesus”.
This is where I operate; awaken and taking possession of my inheritance in Christ. At this plain of life you know all things are yours and you are in control.
My relationship with God increased from glory to glory when I realized that my fellowship is truly with Him and with the innumerable company of Angels by worshiping in Spirit, only the Holy Ghost can give the ability to worship the father in spirit and in truth. God is looking for people that worship in spirit and in truth; receive the Holy Ghost and have God Almighty seek you, it will no longer be you seeking God but the tables shall turned around, God will be the one seeking you.
John 4 v 23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the father seeketh such to worship him.
You too can be this way even more. Have circumstance under control. When am walking, I take one step at a time. Knowing fully well I am a king who has received authority from the throne of power to reign in life and over circumstances in life. Whenever anyone ask me why are you always walking gently and slow, I say, I have everything under control, the word of the Lord says “you shall not go in a hurry”, so I have no need to rush.
What a life??????????????
With this kind of mentality, you no longer run to people for help, people begin to run to you for solution to their problems.
This is how God wants us to live. No matter the curse that has been tormenting your family including you before will no longer have authority over you. “Live a supper life”
You will discover whatever you do prosper; you don’t need a pastor to pray for you on things like this. You will always win.
“Your financial state will never be the same”
Receiving the Holy Ghost is not optional, it is compulsory, if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you cannot live the real Christian life. Let us now see how to go about it.
You already know what born again is. Let’s look at that scripture again.
St. John 3let’s see verse 5
Jesus answered, verily verily I say unto thee, except a man BE BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
Let’s go straight to the point, I know your understanding has increased.