2. COMMAND #2: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
John 3:3-7 ESV Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (4) Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (5) Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
There is no command within Scriptures more important than this one. We must be born again! When our Lord started a statement with verily, verily or truly, truly He is affirming something that is of great importance which He is addressing. In this case He is addressing the importance and need for all men to be born of the Spirit.
We can be church members without being born again.
We can get baptized without being born again.
We can give tithes and offerings without being born again.
We can read our Bibles without being born again.
We can pray without being born again.
We can love our spouse and children without being born again.
We can become more moral without being born again.
However, we cannot enter into the kingdom of God, become God's children, and spend eternity with the Father in His kingdom without being born again.
My first birth was of the flesh and took place in 1954 in the small community of Craigsville, Virginia. I was one of four siblings having one brother and two sisters.
My second birth was of the Spirit and took place in 1974 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. I am one of millions and millions of brothers and sisters throughout time that has given their lives over to the Lord Jesus Christ and was radically born again.
There are many things which we can do that are important in life, but none as important as asking the Lord Jesus Christ to take control of our life, forgive us of our sins, and give us His life in exchange for ours. Being born again, having the life of God within us is the most logical, intelligent, and beneficial thing a person could ever do in their lifetime.