BORN AGAIN
                          What does it mean?
                          by "Buggs" Bugnon

   Many of us do not seem to have a clear idea of what a CHRISTIAN really
is. Generally, we think there is a set of rules which, if kept faithfully,
will make a person a CHRISTIAN. Some of us feel that if our good deeds
outweigh our bad deeds, God will "let" us into heaven. 

   In the BIBLE certain words are used in connection with being a
CHRISTIAN that should be defined so everyone will know exactly what it
means to become a CHRISTIAN. 

   Have you ever heard the word CONVERTED? This means to "turn around" We
are going in one direction and by what the BIBLE calls REPENTANCE, we turn
and go in the opposite direction. By nature EVERYONE is going the wrong
way - the way of sin - and we must be "turned around", or CONVERTED. There
are two BIBLE verses that show this very clearly. JEREMIAH 10:23 says, "I
know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh
to direct his steps." And Matthew 18:3 tells us, "Except ye be CONVERTED,
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven." 

   Sometimes we talk about being SAVED. What does this mean? To be saved
means to be rescued from what we are in our old sinful nature, and to be
made what God wants us to be, so that before HIM we are without sin. JESUS
said that He came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (LUKE 19:10).
His part in redemption was to pay the price of sin, and our part is to
place our confidence and trust in HIM as our personal SAVIOR. When we do
this, we can claim GOD'S promise that "In (Him) we have redemption ...
even the forgiveness of sins." (Ephesians 1:7)

   Another phrase found in the Bible is that of being BORN AGAIN. In the
third chapter of JOHN, JESUS said, "Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot
see the kingdom of God" (verse 3). What did JESUS mean by that? 

   We respond and act like human beings because we received a human nature
from our parents. So, to have the nature that acts according to the will
of God, we must be BORN into HIS family and receive HIS nature. This is
exactly what happens when we are BORN AGAIN. We are placed into God's
family; we are made HIS children. The BIBLE says it this way: "Therefore
if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things become new" (II Corinthians 5:17)

   Now, let's discuss the words RECEIVING CHRIST. To receive something
means to take, to accept, to trust in, or to believe. In the CHRISTIAN
life it means to accept SOMEONE; and that ONE, of course, is JESUS CHRIST,
God's Son. You heard the invitation of the Lord, "Come unto me, all ye
that travail and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew
11:28), you turned from your sinful way (repentance) and you received
JESUS CHRIST as your PERSONAL Savior. 

   It is amazing how many take second best. We have asked some, "Are you a
CHRISTIAN? Are you SAVED? Have you ever been BORN AGAIN? Have you ever
RECEIVED CHRIST?" And they have answered, "Well, I belong to a church ...
I do as many good things as I can ... I think I am as good as anybody ...
I must be saved!" 

   Going to church, being good and doing good deeds are fine, but these
things do not give ETERNAL LIFE. The Bible teaches that to be SAVED - to
be a CHRISTIAN, to be BORN AGAIN, to be CONVERTED - YOU MUST RECEIVE JESUS
CHRIST AS SAVIOR from YOUR sin. HE is the ONE who died for us (Romans
5:6). HE is the ONE who LIVES in heaven and speaks to GOD on our behalf
EVERY day (I Timothy 2:5). 

   Suppose an angel should SUDDENLY stand before you and ask, "Are you
ready to meet GOD?" What would YOUR answer be? 

   If you are not CERTAIN, invite JESUS CHRIST into your heart and life
RIGHT NOW. Make CERTAIN that YOU know what it means to be a CHRISTIAN. 

   You can pray a prayer RIGHT NOW to do just THAT, by repeating the
following prayer and meaning it in your heart. It doesn't matter if you
close your eyes or not, God only wants your heart to be true: 

     "Dear Father, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I
believe that Christ died for my sin.  I am willing to trun from my sins. 
I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as my Personal
Savior.  I am willing, by God's grace, to follow and obey Christ as the
Lord of my life." 

     If you prayed this prayer, let us know, please leave us a comment 
     the next time you call SMCIS or drop your name and address in the 
     mail.  We would like to mail you a few things to get you started 
     in you new life.  
 	 
         THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MINISTRY OF:

     SOUTHERN MARYLAND CHRISTIAN INFORMATION SERVICE BBS (SMCIS)

SMCIS
P.O.BOX 463
California, MD 20619
Modem 301/862-3160
SYSOP:  Buggs Bugnon

               FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT
               OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
               OUR LORD.               Romans 6:23