In this article, we will examine what it means to be saved or born again, who Jesus Christ is, what he did on the cross, why it is good news for humanity, and why we all need a savior. It also covers how to grow as a disciple of Christ.

Get a Bible and prayerfully read the verses in the article to see what Jesus did for you on the cross because of his great love. Be reconciled with God today!

You must be born again.

Do you have peace with God? Do you know where you will spend eternity when you leave this world? This is a decision that every person should give serious thought to. Eternity beckons to everyone of us. As sure as the sun rises in the east, each of us shall leave this world one day and face eternity in one of two places. We shall either spend our eternity with God in heaven or be separated from him forever in hell. This decision is one every single one of us has to make while we are alive.

God is our creator, and we cannot bypass him and ignore him when it comes to our eternal destinies. He has given us the chance to know him and make things right with him while we are alive; after death, it will be too late.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a religious man, “Truly, truly, 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?” (John 3:3-4). It did not make sense logically to Nicodemus, yet that is the path to salvation. Jesus responded, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). To be born again is to be born of the Spirit of God.

Martin Luther, the great Protestant reformer, wrote, “Born once—die twice; born twice—die once.” This great spiritual truth is the key to eternal life. Our natural birth cannot save us since we are born into sin. To be reconciled to God and have eternal life, we must be born a second time (spiritually), and then we shall only die once (physically). Those who are only born once will die twice (physically and spiritually). Jesus Christ gives us spiritual rebirth. You must be born again.

Human beings are born sinners.

All men are sinners. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We are all born with a sinful nature because we are descendants of Adam and Eve, the first humans. Adam and Eve listened to Satan in the Garden of Eden and sinned against God. They did this by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which led to their nature being corrupted and becoming sinners (read Genesis 3). This act of rebellion and disobedience made the entire human race sinners.

“Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

God desires a relationship with us and for us to be his children. However, our sins separate us from God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you” (Isaiah 59:2). God is a righteous and holy God who hates sin, and therefore, sinners cannot have peace with him or spend eternity with God. Additionally, no one can fulfill God’s righteousness and perfect standards by their own effort because we are naturally slaves to sin.

The Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As it is written, “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

God loves us but hates sin. The bad news is that all of us are born sinners, and that means none of us can have peace with God or enter heaven in our natural, sinful state. The good news is that God, by his great love and mercy, has provided a way for us to be born again, be saved from our sins, sinful nature, and the sentence of sin, have peace with him, and be reconciled to him for all eternity.

That way is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who came to earth to die in our place to make atonement (payment) for our sins.

Who is Jesus Christ, and what did he do?

Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and is himself God (John 1:1). Jesus was God incarnate in the flesh. Born of a virgin mother and without a sinful nature, he lived a sinless life in the body. He then gave himself up out of love to die on the cross for his creation. Jesus bore the sins of the world upon himself as a sacrificial lamb. This was according to God’s divine plan and because of his great love for us. Jesus thus became the perfect sacrifice and ransom for our sins. He is the only sacrifice for sins that is acceptable to God because he is blameless (read Isaiah 53:6; I Peter 2:24).

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

Whoever repents (turns away) from his sins and his old way of life and believes in him and his sacrifice on the cross receives eternal life.

The Bible says that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus on the cross was accursed and forsaken of God (Galatians 3:13) and faced the wrath of God that was ours because of our sins (Isaiah 53:10). It was an exchange of love. What manner of love is that Jesus shows us, that he took our punishment, though he did no wrong?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1

God gives us the chance to turn to Jesus while we are alive. He does this by presenting opportunities for us to hear the good news of what Jesus did on the cross. If we reject him and die in our sinful state, we are eternally lost and perish in hell. Jesus died to save us from eternal separation from God. He made the way.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

The Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ

The good news, called the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, is what Jesus accomplished on the cross. It is good news because Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves (freeing us from the power and penalty of sin).

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

The justice of God (that he must punish sin and the soul that sins must die) was satisfied by Christ’s death for the sins of all who believe in him. As a result, salvation is now available to all (John 19:30).

“He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4:25).

Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead was evidence of his power over death and hell. Those who believe in him will likewise never die or perish! Jesus, being sinless, was able to overcome sin, death, hell, and the devil and purchase eternal salvation for all who place their trust in him.

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death.” Revelation 1:8

“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:9

“Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

Jesus preached that we must repent (acknowledge that we are sinners, confess our sins, and turn from our old way of life of enmity with God) and believe in him. When we believe in him, we become new creatures as his Holy Spirit comes to live within us, giving us a new righteous nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus will come back again one day.

This present world has an expiration date. It has an end, as all temporary things do. Jesus promised while he was on earth that one day he would return. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)

He will come back, and every eye will see him, including those who have rejected him (Revelation 1:7). He will destroy his enemies and reign on earth for 1,000 years. And after that millennial reign, all that ever lived from Adam, great and small, dead and alive, will stand before God in the great white throne judgment to be judged and give an account for their lives (read Revelation 20:11-15).

Those who rejected Jesus and lived in sin will receive the sentence of eternal damnation in the lake of fire and live separated from God for all eternity by their own choice. However, those who were true believers and disciples of Jesus will be ushered into joy and eternal life in the new Jerusalem in their resurrected bodies. The new Jerusalem is the city God has prepared for those who love him (Revelation 21:2-4).

The Bible says there will be a new heaven and a new earth after judgment day; all will be made new. There will be no more death, sorrow, pain, tears, or sin, for the former things will have passed away. This is the blessed hope of all Christians. This is what awaits those who trust in Jesus for all eternity.

Salvation is by grace through faith.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation is a gift. Jesus died for our sins as an act of love because we had no way to save ourselves and be reconciled back to God because of our sins and rebellion. We receive this gift of salvation and reconciliation to God through his blood by faith. Faith means trust, belief, or confidence in God. Grace is the unmerited favor and kindness of God towards humanity. By placing our confidence and trust in Jesus’ atonement for our sins through his death and resurrection, we are saved.

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10

Historical and intellectual beliefs and knowledge about Jesus cannot save anyone. Our own goodness cannot save us because we can never be good enough for God. Jesus desires a living and absolute trust in Him for salvation from sin. This requires first an admission that one is a sinner and cannot save oneself, and that without him they are doomed. With that admission and realization, one must then cast oneself fully as a drowning, helpless, hopeless, and dying man upon the cross and person of Jesus Christ as the only hope for life and salvation. This is the faith God seeks and the faith that saves.

Grace is not a license to sin.

It is important to note that grace is not permission to continue living in sin. God’s grace enables and empowers us to please him and live righteous lives by the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” Colossians 1:22-23

Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus.

In the first sermon preached after Jesus’s resurrection, the crowd asked, “What shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:37-38

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21

A man asked the Apostle Paul and Silas in the Bible, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:30-31

Repentance is a complete change of mind. It is a turning away from a life without God to absolute trust in Jesus Christ only for salvation.

New creation in Christ

We are born again and saved from our sins when we genuinely believe (in our hearts) in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross for us, repent of our former sinful and rebellious way of life (acknowledge and confess our sins and turn away from them), and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior with our whole heart and being. If you truly believe in what Jesus accomplished for you on the cross and turn from your former life, you will receive his life in exchange for yours and receive eternal life. You will become God’s child. The Holy Spirit will come and live inside you and make you a brand new creature. You will pass from death to life.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

“As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12

The Bible says that all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior have their names written in His Book of Life in Heaven. This is one of the books that will be opened and checked on the day of judgment to grant souls admission into heaven (Revelation 20:12, 15).

Steps to be saved or born again

The process of salvation can be summarized by the following ABCs:

1. Admit

Admit that you are a sinner and have sinned against a holy God. Acknowledge that you cannot save yourself and need a savior. Mention and confess all your sins to Jesus and ask him to forgive you.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one.’” (Romans 3:10)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

2. Believe

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross for you. Trust that by his death and resurrection, he paid the price for your sins, and that if you place your trust in his sacrifice, he will make you a new creature, and you will be born again. Have faith and trust that Jesus will give you his life and his Spirit, reconcile you to God, and give you eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

3. Confess

Confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord. Make this confession boldly with your mouth henceforth. Tell someone that you have been saved. Continue to confess that Jesus is Lord, not just in word but in deed. You do this by following him, learning more about how to please him, obeying him, and growing as a Christian.

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10

“Whoever will confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:12

Salvation Prayer

If you have believed the gospel message, decided to follow Jesus, and would like to accept him as your Lord and Savior, go on your knees and pray to him from your heart. In your own words, confess all your sins to him, acknowledge that you have sinned against him, and ask him to forgive you. Confess to him that you believe he is the Son of God, the savior of the world, and the only way to the Father and heaven. Pour out your heart to him in your own words, and ask him to fill you with his Holy Spirit. It is with the heart that we believe, and by faith, we are made righteous (justified).

The Bible says, “Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37. If you call on him sincerely, he will not reject you.

If you have prayed sincerely and placed your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation with all your heart, the Bible says you are now a new creature. You have been born again and have received a new nature from Jesus Christ! The Bible says heaven and the angels are rejoicing with you now that you are born again and your name is written in Jesus’s Book of Life in heaven (Revelation 20:12, 15; Revelation 21:27).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

Now that you are born again, fix your mind to live for Jesus always, get to know him through his Word, the Holy Bible, pray to him daily, and obey him all the days of your life so that you can make it to heaven when you leave this world.

Growing as a Disciple of Jesus Christ

The Bible says if you are saved, you are a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, your old nature and life are gone, and you are born again. You’re now a child of God. The Holy Spirit now lives in you and will empower you to live a godly life. However, nurturing your new life of salvation is important. You’re like a baby that needs to grow by consuming the right food. There are things you must do to grow in your relationship with Jesus.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Below are four basic things you need to do to grow in your faith. These essentials will start you on the journey to learning more and growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ:

1. Bible reading

You will chiefly grow in your relationship with God by studying the Bible, which is the word of God, daily. The Bible contains God’s will, commandments, instructions, desires, and promises for us. Read it out loud if possible. Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to learn the recorded teachings of Jesus Christ, as this will help you know what Jesus taught about the kingdom of God and being his disciple.

After the gospel books, read the rest of the New Testament book by book, followed by the Old Testament. God’s word helps us know him and his will for our lives.

Don’t only read the word of God; read with the desire and determination to OBEY everything you read. It is obedience that will help you become spiritually strong, mature, and productive in your Christian walk.

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2

“That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

Read this article for more on how to study the Bible, and also get a free Bible reading plan: How to Study the Bible – 12 Effective Ways

2. Prayer

Pray daily and talk with Jesus about everything as your friend, lord, and savior, and you will learn to hear and know his voice and obey him. He will speak back to you. Remember, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, lives inside you now and is with you always. The Holy Spirit will help you and teach you how to pray and direct your life.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Read this article for more on how to pray: How to Pray: 12 Lessons From the Lord’s Prayer

3. Daily devotion (Quiet time)

Daily devotion time, also known as quiet time, is a set-aside time each day where a born-again believer spends time studying and meditating on the word of God, praying, and communing with God. I would advise you to spend at least one hour in daily devotion for maximum benefits (half an hour studying the word and half an hour in prayer) and increase the time as you grow in faith and discipline.

Morning hours are the best time before you begin your day. Spending time with God before anything else sets the pace for the rest of the day; it also shows our devotion to giving God the best and first of everything we have. Adjust your waking time in the morning to factor in time with God, and watch how it changes and improves your life. You can also have your devotional time in the evening if this works best for you; just make it consistent to make it a habit.

4. Fellowship

Pray to be led to a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching gathering of fellow believers you can fellowship with, grow with, and serve God and one another. Ask God to direct you to the right church that’s rooted in his word, discipleship, and preaching the gospel. It is important to pray about this so that you do not join a false church.

It is important to be part of a gathering of believers because you are now a member of the body of Christ and the family of God. Growth is easier in a community.

“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

You can download this teaching as a PDF to share for evangelism or discipleship here.

More Essential Discipleship Teachings:

Thank you for reading, and remember to subscribe below!

If this article blesses you, please share it with your friends, on your socials, and with anyone who needs to know Jesus Christ.

Subscribe below and join the hundreds of subscribers who receive regular, edifying teachings and updates from Mwendwa straight to their inbox! Never miss a thing!

Facebook Comments

How to Be Born Again and Grow in Christ

You must be born again.

Human beings are born sinners.

Who is Jesus Christ, and what did he do?

The Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ

Jesus will come back again one day.