06/30/2013
Are you born again? This is one of life's most important questions. Jesus Christ said, "Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
It is not enough to reply, "I belong to the church; I suppose I'm a Christian." Thousands of nominal Christians
show none of the signs of being born again which the Scriptures have given us—many listed in the First Epistle
of John.
First of all, John wrote: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (I John 3:9). "Whosoever is born of
God sinneth not" (5:18).
A person who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his
heart and will and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether his actions
were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and
sin; they were friends. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest
plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be
completely delivered from it. Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it even a matter of indifference to him; it has
become a horrible thing which he hates. However, he cannot eliminate its presence within him.
If he said that he had no sin, he would be lying (I John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the great
desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or
shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appealing in both his words and his actions. He knows that "in
many things we offend all" (James 3:2). But he can truly say, in the sight of God, that these things cause him
grief and sorrow and that his whole nature does not consent to them. What would the apostle say about you?
Are you born again?
Second, John wrote: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (I John 5:1).
A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour who can pardon his
soul, that He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no
Saviour at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence in Christ, and trusting in
Him, he believes that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that, because he has accepted Christ's finished work
and death on the cross, he is considered righteous in God's sight, and he may look forward to death and
judgment without alarm.
He may have fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you that he feels as if he had no faith at all. But ask him
if he is willing to trust in anything instead of Christ, and see what he will say. Ask him if he will rest his hope of
eternal life on his own goodness, his own works, his prayers, his minister, or his church, and listen to his reply.
What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?
Third, John wrote: "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him" (I John 2:29).
The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God's will, to do
the things that please God and to avoid the things that God hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his
example as well as his Saviour and to prove himself to be Christ's friend by doing whatever He commands. He
knows he is not perfect. He is painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle within
himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not
consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence.
Though he may sometimes feel so low that he questions whether or not he is a Christian at all, he will be able to
say with John Newton, "I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in
another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am." What would
the apostle say about you? Are you born again?
Fourth, John wrote: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (I John
3:14).
A man who is born again has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all
men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord
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Are You Born Again?
and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who
are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.
He feels they are all members of the same family. They are his fellow soldiers, fighting against the same enemy.
They are his fellow travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him.
They may be very different from himself in many ways—in rank, in station and in wealth. But that does not
matter. They are his Father's sons and daughters and he cannot help loving them. What would the apostle say
about you? Are you born again?
Fifth, John wrote: "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (I John 5:4).
A man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong. He does not
mind going against the world's ways, ideas and customs. What men think or say no longer concerns him. He
overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people.
To him they seem foolish and unworthy of an immortal being.
He loves God's praise more than man's praise. He fears offending God more than offending man. It is
unimportant to him whether he is blamed or praised; his first aim is to please God. What would the apostle say
about you? Are you born again?
Sixth, John wrote: "He that is begotten of God keepeth himself' (I John 5:18).
A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin but also to avoid everything
which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He knows that evil communications corrupt the
heart and that evil is more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful
about the use of his time; his chief desire is to spend it profitable.
He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country—to wear his armor continually and to be prepared for
temptation. He is diligent to be watchful, humble, prayerful man. What would the apostle say about you? Are
you born again?
These are the six great marks of a born again Christian.
