Being born-again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever – 1st Peter 1:23.

Being born-again refers to all believers having been regenerated by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, which communicates His offer of salvation to all. Our salvation rests, from the human perspective, upon willing reception of that offer.

When one truly accepts salvation, Jesus enters their heart and gives them a new heart. A heart that is willing to submit itself to the full instructions of the Bible, it’s not pick and choose which Scriptures they will submit to.

So many of today’s Christians are willing to accept salvation as long as it does not interfere with what they want to do in life. Jesus has instructed His people what they must do to be followers of Him (Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you – 2nd Corinthians 6:17). We can’t be followers of the world’s actions and be followers of Christ.

Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews who secretly came to Jesus during the night. He was a Pharisee and a teacher of the Law. Jesus instructed him to enter the kingdom of God; he had to be born again (Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God – John 3:5). There is the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God; kingdom of heaven is when believers who have submitted to the doctrine of Christ will enter heaven to live forever. There is also the kingdom of God, where the individual has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit are being manifested in their lives.

Many believe, but have not been converted (And He said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 18:3). Converted means turning one’s whole life and person towards God. Jesus told His disciple Peter once he had been converted to strengthen his brother. Some believers want to participate in worldly actions and confuse others who are not familiar with the Scriptures on how a Christian should live. Rather than strengthening those not familiar with the Word of God and by our lifestyle, we’re confusing people about Christianity.

When a person is born again, their heart and spirit have been regenerated by the Spirit of God. This does not mean there will be a change overnight, but as they continue to pray, read, and study God’s Word and apply the instructions, there will be a spiritual change.

Discipleship is discipline; it’s self-training, preparation, development, exercise, self-disciplining, and self-control. Discipline is an action that is intentional. Discipline without practice is void. Anything you practice, you will become good at.

The reason why some people don’t grow spiritually is that: (1) They received emotional salvation, (2) They haven’t received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, (3) They don’t discipline themselves to spend time with God in prayer, reading, and studying the Bible. (4) They don’t attend Sunday School or Bible Study, where they can be taught how to live a Christian lifestyle and the meaning of Scriptures.

Many professing Christians are conformed to the world rather than the Word of God (And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God – Romans 12:2). God’s will refers to His purpose for the life of the believer. It implies His guidance or direction in all life’s decisions. True Christianity is to dedicate our lives and will to Him.

Dedication is an act of surrender or submission to His will for our lives whereby we become a living sacrifice. Daily dependence on God results in our transformation into the image of Christ. When we seek to discern the will of God, we must also be committed to doing the will of God as it is revealed in the Word of God.

The believer should evaluate every decision based on Biblical principles, knowing that obedience brings God’s blessings. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit enables Christians to seek and desire the will of God in their lives and lifestyles. The Holy Spirit is our Helper; He enables Christians to live according to the Word and will of God.

Even with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Christians have to make an effort to do what is responsible for them as Christians (Abide in Me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except you abide in Me – John 15:4). For the branch to produce more fruit it must abide, which means to dwell, to stay, to settle in, to sink deeper. The way to abide in Christ is to obey. The believers who lovingly obey the Word of God produce much fruit.

There is no way a person can be a follower of Christ, and they are still living a lifestyle before they received salvation. True salvation is a progress and with faithfulness, the individual will become a true follower of Christ!