Jesus said in John 3 we must be born again to see God’s kingdom, born of the Spirit as God’s children (John 1:12, Romans 8:14, 1 John 3:1).
Before salvation, no one is naturally God’s child. Sin separates us, and we need Jesus, the mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), the door (John 10:9), and the gate (Matthew 7:13). Entering is a one-time experience of becoming God’s child.
Repentance is an instant change of mind and life direction, letting Jesus change your heart, not a gradual self-improvement.
2 Corinthians 5:15-17: “He died for all, that they which live should not live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; all things are become new.”
1 Peter 2:24: “Who bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.”
Titus 2:14: “Who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Acts 26:18: “To turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins.”
Titus 3:3-6: “We were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving lusts and pleasures. But God’s kindness saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
Ephesians 2:1-10: “You were dead in trespasses and sins, but God, rich in mercy, quickened us together with Christ. By grace are ye saved through faith, not of works.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Galatians 5:19-24: “Works of the flesh: adultery, fornication, hatred. Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace. They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh.”
Philippians 2:13: “God worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Romans 6-8: We are dead to sin, baptized into Christ, free from sin’s dominion (Romans 6:2, 3, 6, 14, 18). Romans 8: “Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit.”
1 John 3:1-10: “We are called sons of God. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him.”
Has Jesus changed your heart with new desires? Do you share how others can be changed? When sharing the gospel, clarify that people are lost, separated from God, and need His transforming power.