Introduction: What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

1. The Warning to Nicodemus: Religion Is Not Enough

Nicodemus was a respected religious leader, yet Jesus told him:

"You must be born again." (John 3:7)

Nicodemus had:
✔️ Knowledge of the Scriptures
✔️ Faith in God
✔️ A disciplined religious life

Yet, Jesus said that was not enough—he needed to be born of the Spirit.

🔥 Many today are like Nicodemus: faithful to religion but lacking true spiritual rebirth. 🔥

2. The Difference Between a Religious Life and a Spirit-Filled Life

✅ A religious person

• Attends church but lacks transformation

• Knows Scripture but does not walk in the power of the Spirit

• Trusts in their own righteousness instead of God's grace

• Struggles to overcome sin because they rely on human effort

✅ A Spirit-filled disciple

• Has a heart that has been radically transformed by Jesus

• Is led by the Holy Spirit daily (Romans 8:14)

• Produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

• Walks in authority over sin and the enemy (Luke 10:19)

The Bible warns:

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:6)

Without the Spirit, we are only living in the flesh.

3. How Do We Know If We Are Born of the Spirit?

Jesus said we will recognize a tree by its fruit (Matthew 7:16-20).

Evidence of Being Born Again:
✔️ A deep hunger for God's presence (Psalm 42:1)
✔️ Conviction of sin & desire for holiness (John 16:8)
✔️ Transformation in thoughts, desires, and actions (2 Corinthians 5:17)
✔️ A growing love for Jesus above all else (Luke 10:27)
✔️ The ability to hear and follow the Holy Spirit (John 10:27)

⚠️ If someone claims to be a Christian but lacks these signs, they may have religion but not true spiritual rebirth.

4. How to Be Born of the Spirit

Many people believe in Jesus but have never truly surrendered to Him.

Being born again requires:

✅ Repentance – A complete turning away from sin (Acts 3:19)
✅ Surrender – Giving up control and making Jesus Lord (Luke 9:23)
✅ Faith – Trusting in Jesus alone for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9)
✅ The Holy Spirit – Inviting Him to fill and transform you (Luke 11:13)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8)

🔥 True disciples walk in the power of the Holy Spirit! 🔥

5. The Urgency of Being Born Again

Jesus is coming back soon, and only those who are truly born of the Spirit will be ready.

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

Many will claim to know Jesus, but He will say:

"I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:23)

⚠️ This is the most terrifying warning in Scripture. It is not enough to believe in Jesus—we must be born again.

Conclusion: Will You Be Born Again or Stay in Religion?

🔥 The choice is clear: 🔥
✅ Stay in religion and risk hearing "I never knew you."
✅ Be born of the Spirit and enter into true life with Jesus.

"If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The next article will take this further:
"The Kingdom of Priests: Awakening the Sleeping Church"

➡️ Are you truly born again? Seek the Holy Spirit and surrender to Christ today.