I Am A Christian, But Am I Born Again?

Praise The Lord!

We praise the Lord with you! You have decided to follow and serve Jesus Christ! Christian means “Christ Follower” so you are closer to becoming one of His disciples (more on discipleship). Now that you are on a new path to righteousness, you want to know what’s next, that’s awesome! First, let’s recap the decisions you made. There are many different teachings on salvation, which is the response to the Gospel message (and so much more that we won’t get into right now), so we want to ensure that you have understood the biblical requirements needed for the rebirth of an ex-sinner, that’s you!

First, You Have Turned Toward God

Becoming a Christian or disciple requires a denial of oneself, and is known as repenting. Repenting is the changing of midset from your natural understanding of life to God’s ways. Through this mind change, your lifestyle begins to change as well. Through repentance, you have been convicted of your sinful life (wrongdoings) by the Holy Spirit and you have fully turned away of those sins and sinful lifestyle. Repentance is more than just apologizing for the bad things that you have done. You have purposed in your heart never again to repeat the same sinful acts. Jesus did not die and make a way for your sins to be forgiven, only so you can continue to practice them. He came so that you would have a clean slate and a pure heart. The Holy Spirit has come to clean all traces of sin through the blood of Jesus if you will believe it and act upon it. You can be set free!

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 9:13

I pray you have experienced freedom in turning from old habits onto a new life. This is truly a heart posture. With this mind change, comes a full trust or faith in the person of Jesus. He is the faithful one who has promised ultimate restoration and He will complete what He has started. Trust on Him until the end.

Second, You Have The Divine Blood Applied

After repentance and belief in Jesus, you need to be baptized into the death, the burial of Christ and to rise in the newness of His life. This act of obedience activates the blood of Jesus onto your life to make you clean from the body of sin. Having the blood applied to your life doesn’t happen when you simply believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world.

…in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11-12

To have sins remitted there must be the shedding of blood. The Jews would bring the lamb to the temple to be sacrificed as an atonement for their sins. Because of the grace of God, we no longer have to provide a yearly lamb, for the Lord provided himself a lamb, Jesus. The blood that was shed was given to remove your sin. However, the shedding of the blood did not automatically get applied to your life on the spot, you unite with it in baptism (Romans 6:4-5).

Third, You Receive The Holy Ghost

Now that you have repented and have washed your sins away, your life is clean and opened to receive the Lord’s Spirit. He will come in and sup with you. The Holy Spirit is the new owner of your heart, soul, and mind. He will show you all the things according to what has been written in the scriptures. Your goal as a growing Christian is to serve Him with your complete strength and efforts. The Spirit of God is the power to stay free from the bondage and power of sin until the day of redemption. The goal and finish line is the coming of King Jesus. The Spirit will help you endure unto that day.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

You will know that you have received the Holy Ghost within you when you have begun to speak with a new language and naturally begin to be active in the fruit of the Spirit. This is the key to knowing you are a new creature.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance

Galatians 5:22-23

Once a growing Christian has been baptized in the Holy Ghost, scripture confirms that many signs and wonders will occur. They will cast out demons, speak in other tongues and heal the sick. That is part of the evidence of having the Holy Spirit.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Matthew 16:17-18

Free At Last! But It’s Only Begun

Though there is freedom and salvation from sin in the born-again experience, your ultimate salvation is not assured. Your salvation can be neglected and forfeited. You are saved from the power of sin and from this perverse generation, however, the salvation to come will come from endurance unto the end. Your born-again experience is only the beginning. Keep your eyes focused on the coming of the Lord. Without this new birth, Jesus said you cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5). The Kingdom is near and it’s our blessed hope. Without perseverance, you cannot enter the Kingdom.

…strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.

Acts 14:22

FAQs For A Growing Christian

In Closing

We are happy that you have chosen to serve the Lord. The scripture says that there is rejoicing in Heaven for the lost soul who comes to repentance. This walk is not easy but with trusting in the Lord and in the fellowship of the saints, it is possible. If you have more questions, please reach out to us. We would love to help you grow closer to the Lord! Leave us an email on our Contact Us page.