BROADCASTS.com

Published: Nov. 20, 2019, 1 a.m.

Are you born again, or are you just religious?

The question is significant.

Indeed, it was the seminal point of the conversation between Jesus Christ and a man named Nicodemus.

They were discussing Jesus\u2019 teaching ministry and Jesus turned the conversation to the issue of being born again.

Nicodemus was confused. \u201cHow can these things be,\u201d he asked Jesus.

\u201cAre you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things,\u201d Jesus asked. Nicodemus, one of the leading men of Israel, did not comprehend the difference between a person being born again and one who is religious?

That is not uncommon in the church today.

Many who would consider they are devoutly Christian do not know the distinction between being religious and being born again.

It is not a casual difference.

Jesus thought it of paramount importance for a leader of Israel to understand the distinction.

Jesus said this one point makes the difference between having eternal life and perishing eternally. \u201cMost assuredly I say to you, unless one is be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God\u2026 Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God\u2026 Do not marvel that I say unto you, you must be born again\u201d (John 3:3, 5,7 NKJV).

The Apostle Paul emphasized the distinct difference between being religious and being born again in his letter to Titus.

\u201cBut when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit\u201d (Titus 3:4-5 NKJV).

Notice, the Apostle said, \u201cNot by works of righteousness which we have done.\u201d

That is being religious.

All religions of the world are seeking to appease God and trying to reach Him though the works of their hands; whether that is doing spiritual acts of worship and service or by denying their fleshly appetites and personal pleasures.

Jesus\u2019 words to Nicodemus and the Apostle Paul\u2019s instructions to Titus declare religious activity may have an appearance of godliness but no amount of human effort will bring someone into the kingdom of God.

Are you born again or religious?

The distinct difference between true Christianity and all other religions is God came seeking mankind not the other way around.

\u201cBut when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared;\u201d take careful notice.

God is reaching to mankind, NOT mankind trying reach to God.

Almighty God showed His mercy and kindness by coming to redeem mankind through the person of Jesus Christ. Every person\u2019s sinful condition separates them from God and prevents them from reaching Him.

The only way a man or woman can be transformed is \u201dthrough the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.\u201d

A person\u2019s heart can be changed from sinful to righteous and they may enter the kingdom of God.

It is only by the washing of a person\u2019s heart in the blood of Jesus Christ and the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit in their life that a sinful human being can be born again into a child of God who is \u201choly, without blame, before Him in love\u201d (Ephesians 1:4).

The born again experience gives one a new heart that has been made the righteousness of God.

The born again experience gives the person a new identity and a new