Christianity is becoming an entirely new man or woman

Becoming a Christian requires a radical transformation, according to Jesus. In John 3:3, he declares that we must be "born again" to enter the kingdom of God. This vivid metaphor conveys the comprehensive nature of conversion. It's not about making a few tweaks here and there. We can't just renovate our old lives. No, we must be made completely new - recreated from the inside out by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. The old passes away; the new has come. Jesus calls us to nothing less than death to self and resurrection to new life in him. This spiritual rebirth lays the foundation for the lifelong process of being molded into Christ's image.

We must reimagine our lives. The old models no longer serve us. This is an opportunity to create from a blank slate, to envision and build the lives we truly want. As experts in self-knowledge and growth, we understand that real change requires more than superficial tweaks. It demands that we dig deep, re-examine our core values and priorities, and construct our days deliberately. The time has come to stop simply existing and start living with intention. We can choose to view this necessity as a burden or a gift. Let us see it as a precious chance to write a new story, to become the authors of our destinies. The pen is in our hands.

When we surrender to Christ as Savior and King, a profound inner transformation occurs, according to 2 Corinthians 5:15 and 17. As verse 15 elucidates, Christ's selfless sacrifice frees us from self-absorption so we can live for Him. We no longer exist for our own glory but for the glory of the One who gave His life to redeem us. Furthermore, verse 17 reveals that trusting in Jesus makes us an altogether new creation. The old passes away, replaced by the fresh and vibrant. Through faith in Christ, we become re-created from the inside out. The stale gives way to the novel, the dreary to the vibrant. What wondrous renewal Christ ignites in those who entrust their lives to Him!

I often turn to Jesus' powerful metaphor of physical birth to illustrate this profound transformation. Just as a baby emerges from the womb, so too are we "born again" when we accept Christ, transitioning from death to new life. This spiritual genesis sparks an incredible metamorphosis, gradually shaping us from infantile faith to mature devotion. God molds our character, recalibrating our desires from self-centeredness to selflessness. Our outlook expands beyond our narrow vision, sharpening its focus on serving our Creator. Like a newborn baby embodying limitless potential, we become blank slates for God's purpose. When we allow the Master Craftsman to guide our growth, our spirits flourish. Just as a parent nurtures a child into maturity, God parents us into discipleship. Through this journey of spiritual rebirth and renewal, we are lovingly reshaped into our full, true selves.

Though many strive to subvert the need for spiritual rebirth, these attempts to "act Christian" through willpower alone are futile. Our sinful flesh cannot be reformed - it must be crucified with Christ so that his new life may dwell within us. Mere outward change brings no lasting fruit, for the old and new natures clash like oil and water. Truly following Jesus requires more than superficial growth - it demands death to self. Only through embracing the cross, exchanging our life for His, can we walk in the newness of life. The path is costly yet leads to abundant joy. For in dying, we gain life eternal - the greatest gift imaginable.

Every human is composed of body, soul, and spirit. Before knowing God, we are controlled by our soul and body while our spirit lies dormant, like a deflated balloon. When we surrender to Christ, He awakens our spirit through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is compared to wind that inflates our deflated spirit at salvation so we can connect with God. Whereas we were once directed by our sinful nature, the Spirit now transforms us into Christ's image. In expert terms, the Spirit is the change agent who activates our spirit, redirecting us from sin to righteousness. By regenerating our spirit, the Holy Spirit enables an intimate relationship with God.

The path to spiritual renewal requires total commitment. As Romans teaches, we must offer ourselves fully to God's purposes, embracing constant reformation of mind. This means stepping into scripture and opening ourselves to the Spirit's guidance each day. When we fix our sights on knowing God intimately, our choices evolve. Pastimes, priorities, and passions shift as we surrender to the Spirit's control. Where selfish desires once dominated, the Spirit cultivates His fruit - love, joy, and peace. The old self dies, making way for the new creation God is forming in us. This transformation is a journey. From the moment we're born again, God chips away at our character, sanctifying us through and through until we finally meet Him face to face. Our calling is to yield to the process.

A Christian is a new creation.

Accepting Jesus into one's life leads to a complete rebirth and transformation of the individual. As a result, the person becomes an entirely new being, with a renewed perspective and purpose. They are guided by the teachings of Jesus and the Bible to live a life that reflects their newfound beliefs and values.

The new creation Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is nothing short of a spiritual rebirth. When Paul declares "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation," he's referring to the profound truths in verses 14-16 - that all believers have figuratively died with Christ and no longer live for themselves. Our old, worldly lives governed by sin are dead and gone. What has emerged is a new life altogether, one with a spiritual orientation. This death of the old self was accomplished at the cross, where our sinful nature was nailed and buried with Christ. But just as Christ was resurrected by the Father, so too are believers raised up to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). This resurrected new person is the "new creation" that Paul describes. In Christ, we are made completely new.

My friends, let's ponder the miracle of the new creation God has wrought within us. This inner transformation is no mere self-help project or inheritance from our earthly parents. No, Scripture reveals it is a true genesis - a universe birthed from nothingness by the Word of the Almighty. Just as in the dawn of time, God hovered over the void and spoke light into the darkness, so He now hovers over our darkened hearts and speaks light and life through the Gospel. By His creative power, we are made new! What grace! The old has passed away. Behold, we are a fresh work of the Creator, fashioned by His will alone. Rejoice, for the Maker of the stars above has made in you a new creation!

The meaning of "old things have passed away" is profound. As experts in spiritual growth, we recognize that this refers to the shedding of our former sinful nature - the pride, selfish desires, and reliance on empty good works that once defined us. Christ's sacrifice on the cross put to death that old identity of self-absorption and self-glorification. Now, as new creations in Him, our gaze is lifted outward to the One who saved us. Our supreme love is for Christ alone, not ourselves. The old habits and passions that enthralled us have vanished away. Truly, we are made new! This transformation liberates us from the shackles of our old, inward-focused ways. As spiritual teachers, we rejoice in guiding others to experience this radical shift. The old passes away, the new comes!

The old life passes away and the new life begins! When we are born again, everything changes. Our soul delights in spiritual things and rejects worldly desires. It's like we have a fresh start - our mindset and outlook are completely transformed. We view the Bible with new eyes, appreciating its beauty as if reading it for the first time. Even nature itself seems different, filled with wonders that reflect God's glory. Our relationships take on new meaning too. We feel Christ's love for all people, even enemies, in a way we never could before. Things we once loved now disappoint us. Sins we clung to lose their grip as we long to walk in holiness. The old has gone, the new has come! As Paul said, we "put off the old self" and "put on the new self" created to be like God. What an amazing change takes place when we are made new in Christ!

Fellow believers, there is indeed a difference between continuing to sin and continuing to live in sin. Let us remember that none of us reach sinless perfection in this life - we all stumble at times. Yet the redeemed Christian is sanctified more and more each day, sinning less frequently and hating it deeply when we do fall. Though we may still sin on occasion, it is unwillingly and progressively less as we mature in faith. Our new selves loathe the sin that yet clings. The key distinction is that we are no longer enslaved to sin as we once were. Sin's power over us is broken! (Romans 6:6-7) Now we are empowered for righteousness through Christ. While we may choose to "let sin reign," we also can count ourselves "dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11-12) Best of all, we now can choose the latter. So, take heart we are not helpless against sin but empowered through Christ to walk in the newness of life.

The new creation is a magnificent marvel, originating in the divine intellect of the Almighty and brought into being by His omnipotent hand to display His splendor and majesty. As an expert theologian, I can attest that this act of origination speaks to the awe-inspiring creative power of our Maker, who fashions wonders beyond our comprehension. When contemplated, this act elicits worship and surrender to such an awesome God.

To Be a Born-Again Christian

The classic biblical passage that provides insight into this question comes from John 3:1-21, where Jesus engages in an illuminating dialogue with Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council. Under cover of night, this esteemed religious leader approaches Jesus with burning questions. What unfolds is a riveting discussion that cuts to the heart of spiritual transformation. Jesus speaks with authority and wisdom, probing the depths of human nature and the necessity of rebirth. Though Nicodemus initially struggles to grasp Jesus' meaning, the Master Teacher patiently elaborates through vivid illustration and incisive reasoning. This iconic scene shines as a sterling example of Jesus' penetrating teaching style and profound message. He fearlessly engages even unlikely seekers, peeling back layers of pretense and revealing liberating truths. The passage brims with insight for any who, like Nicodemus, dares to probe the mysteries of faith.

Jesus lays it all out for Nicodemus. He drops truth bombs left and right, saying no one can experience God's kingdom without being born again. Nicodemus is baffled, asking how an old dude could re-enter his mama's womb. Jesus brings more revelation - we must be born of water and spirit. He explains flesh births flesh, and spirit births spirit. So, when Jesus says, "You must be born again," He's not messing around. As the foremost authority on regeneration, Jesus makes it clear - no rebirth, no kingdom. His words captivate Nicodemus and revolutionize his understanding of salvation. Jesus speaks as an expert unveiling mysteries to enlighten hungry souls. His tone carries prophetic weight yet relatable wisdom. Every word arrests our attention.

The phrase "born again" can also mean "born from above" - a profound spiritual transformation that originates from the heavens. Nicodemus yearned for this renewal that could only come through divine intervention. This rebirth, this second chance at life, happens when eternal salvation is bestowed upon those who believe (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1–4, 18). As John 1:12–13 makes clear, being "born again" allows us to become "children of God" by placing our trust in Jesus Christ. The process of being born anew is thus a miraculous gift from above, given to us by a loving God when we accept His son into our hearts. It washes away the old and allows the new to flourish.

The question on everyone's mind is - why must we be born again? Allow me to shed some light. We are all sinners, spiritually dead as the apostle Paul declares in Ephesians 2:1. Our sinful nature separates us from the glory and presence of God (Romans 3:23). But there is hope! When we place our faith in Christ, we experience a spiritual rebirth. The old self dies, and we become new creations. This regeneration brings forgiveness, life, and an intimate relationship with God. Like a dormant seed that bursts forth with life, we are awakened to God's love and purpose for us. Our spirits are revived, and we see the world through spiritual eyes. That, my friend, is what it truly means to be born again. It's a powerful, personal transformation we must all experience.

The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus reveals a profound truth: to enter God's kingdom, we must experience spiritual rebirth. Our first, physical birth makes us offspring of Adam - flawed and prone to sin. But through a second, heavenly birth, we become God's children, transformed, and made new. As Jesus emphasized twice to Nicodemus, no one can see the kingdom without being "born again" (John 3:3,5). This radical regeneration is not optional. To partake of Christ's redemption, we must allow Him to revive our spirits and graft us into a life liberated from the shackles of sin. Jesus was unequivocal: entrance to God's kingdom necessitates being born anew. We all must experience this spiritual genesis made possible by Christ's redemptive work.

The spiritual rebirth is a profound transformation initiated by divine grace. As Ephesians lays out, salvation arises not from human effort but as a gift from God, received through faith in Christ. In that moment of belief, the believer is made new; the old life fades away and they become a child of God. This new birth stems from Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross, which paid the price of sin. When we place our faith in Him, we enter into Christ, and He enters into us. The old passes away, the new springs forth. In Christ, we are made fresh - the stain of sin cleansed, our spirit revived, our status changed from sinner to saint. This radical renewal is a work of grace, grasped through faith alone. As children of God, we are now His new creation.

My friend, I understand your heart is searching for meaning. Perhaps you feel a stirring deep within, a longing to connect with something greater. There is good news - you were made for so much more. God created you, and He loves you with everlasting love. He longs for you to discover the gift of new life found only in His Son, Jesus. Won't you consider opening your heart to Him today? All it takes is a simple prayer admitting your need for Him. He promises that when we call on Him, He will hear and answer. There is no life so complete as one lived in friendship with Jesus. You can become a dearly loved child of God. Take that step of faith and see what wonderful things He has in store for you. The door is open - walk through and into abundant life!