The Experience You Must Have To Be Saved
"Nevertheless they flattered him with their mouth, and they lied to him with their tongue; for their heart was not steadfast with him, nor were they faithful in his covenant." Psalm 78:36-37 How seriously do you take your relationship to the Lord? Many follow the traditions of their parents, go to church on Sunday, and think that's acceptable to God. But it isn't. Because those whose profession of faith is merely following what they've grown up with - are performing rituals and traditions that are meaningless, because they have not been born again, it's not coming from the heart, so even their prayers are "flattering him with their mouth." The author Merlin Carothers said in one of his books that the Lord spoke to him saying, "I have no grandchildren." Carothers pondered that for awhile and couldn't understand what it might mean, so he asked the Lord to explain it to him. The Lord showed him that each person must be born into the Kingdom of God for himself, he cannot get there by having been brought up in a Christian home. If your parents were born again, that doesn't make you born again. God has no grandchildren. Following the traditions of your parents does not make you born-again no matter how "good" or "religious" you try to be. Being born-again is an experience each one must personally have, he must have this encounter with God for himself. "Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You MUST be born again.'" John 3:5-7 Each person must have for himself a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. The only way to be born again is to confess oneself a sinner and ask to be received, forgiven, and given new life. To be born again is to relinquish one's control over his life and surrender to Christ, asking him to take over and become the Lord of his life. When that happens, the person will be born again and everything changes. The person enters into a whole new life. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 Pray with me: Father God, I have tried to be a good person, but your Word says that that won't bring me into the Kingdom of God. I've always thought that as long as I follow the way I was brought up, then that would be acceptable to you. But your Word says it isn't. Your Word says that I MUST be born again. How does that take place, Lord? Your Word says that it is a supernatural thing. Your Word says that physical birth produces a physical being, but spiritual birth is an act of your Holy Spirit. Please bring me through the "born-again" experience and let me know you personally. I know "about" you, but now I ask to KNOW you. I ask for that transformation. I confess my sinfulness and ask for your forgiveness. I pray for grace to surrender all to you. Please become my Lord, I place myself and my life in your hands.
