Now let’s start with repentance. We saw how sin entered into the human race, how Adam disobeyed God, how the cursed came, and how all mankind from then on has been under sin.

The first step in spiritual growth is repentance. Repentance means to turn away from sin, and to think differently about sin. We should do exactly the opposite of what we were doing before. It is a 180 degree turn. Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise…” (NIVUK). God is long suffering. He is waiting for us to repent because He does not want any of us to perish. He does not want anyone to go to hell. He wants us to be with Him in heaven forever. That was His original plan.

You may know the story about Nicodemus and his conversation with Jesus from the Gospel of John (John 3:1-21). He was a leader in the synagogue. He came to Jesus one night. Do you know why he came at night? He did not want to be seen with Jesus. But he knew that Jesus was a man of God.

Nicodemus was wondering who Jesus was and came to ask Him. The conversation continued in verse 3: “Jesus answered, ‘I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.’ ‘How can a grown man be born again?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘He certainly cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time!’ ‘I am telling you the truth,’ replied Jesus, ‘that no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit. Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again” (vs. 3-7 GNT).

Nicodemus was not able to understand how or why a person must be born again. “Can he enter his mother’s womb again when he is old?” he asked. The Lord Jesus, however, was not referring to physical birth; He was referring to being born in the Spirit. He said that he who is born of the Spirit is spirit and he who is born of the flesh is flesh. There are two births. But Nicodemus did not understand the spiritual birth. So Jesus again emphasized to him that a person must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. Nicodemus still had no conception of the spiritual birth so Jesus went further in His explanation.

Jesus said in John 3:15-16, “So that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIVUK).

The Lord Jesus was referring to Himself in these verses. He was saying, “If you believe in Me you have eternal life.” He also said that God the Father had given His only Son because He loved the world so much. Today, when anyone dies believing in the Lord, he will not perish but have everlasting life and will be with God forever. Life in hell is life without God. God does not want anyone to be lost. Jesus goes on to say in verse 17 that the Father did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through His Son.

Romans 10:9-13 says, “If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved… As the scripture says, ‘Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved’” (GNT).

That is all it takes to be saved and receive eternal life. There is no fanfare, no trumpets, or ceremony. Being born again is between you and God. You can do it in your bedroom at night or in any place, at any time. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved (vs. 9). The scripture says that “with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (vs. 10, NKJV). So, whoever calls on the name of Jesus and accepts Him as Lord and Savior is saved. It is so very simple.

When I found this out I could not believe it because of its amazing simplicity. The Scriptures are very simple and clear. With your mouth you confess that Jesus is your Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. With the heart a person believes, and with the mouth that person confesses, then salvation comes. If anyone wants to come to Christ, the only thing he or she has to do is to do what Romans 10:9-10 says. However, a person has to do it with sincerity, not for show, or to please anyone. It must come from the heart. As soon as we do the Lord Jesus will come into our heart and our spirit will be reborn. Remember, when Adam committed sin, his spirit died. His flesh and mind started dominating him. When a person is born again the spirit within them is made alive again to God; it is regenerated. At that moment that person becomes a Christian! A miracle beyond measure happens and the angels in heaven rejoice!

Have you committed your life to the Lord? Do you believe that He died for you? Do you believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead? Have you confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If you have never done so you can do it today!

Continue To Chapter 4. Spiritual Growth

Chapter 1. The Gospel – Good News • Chapter 2. Adam – Sin • Chapter 3. Repentance – The New Birth • Chapter 4. Spiritual Growth – A Journey and The Goal • Chapter 5. The Rapture • Chapter 6. Renewing of The Mind • Chapter 7. Discipleship • Chapter 8. Fruit of the Spirit – Fruit of The Flesh • Chapter 9. Other Important Scriptures • Chapter 10. How to Be Like The Lord Jesus Christ • Final Words • About The Author • What Others Are Saying About This Book • Bibliography