Being Born Again

A girl about one-year old was abandoned by her parents. The girl was picked up by a government agency in the country, and a couple adopted her. When she became 19 years old, she applied for citizenship of that country. It was rejected by the government, and her appeal in court was also rejected. (Straits Times, 15 July 2026)

Born Again: The Lord Jesus Christ told the learned Jewish leader Nicodemus that he should be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. (John 3:7) Nicodemus was a descendant of Abraham and a respected Jewish leader, but all that was not adequate to enter the Kingdom of God. Like the girl who was denied citizenship, many people like Nicodemus would be rejected.

Church membership Even though the girl had lived for eighteen years in that country, she was denied citizenship. Many claim that they have been members of a church for decades, yet if they are not Born Again, they would be rejected from entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

Miracle workers Some even claim that they are servants of God and have even healed and driven out demons in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, the Lord rejected them, and they could not enter His Kingdom. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Follow culture and customs The girl spoke the local language, ate the food appropriate to that culture, obeyed the laws of the land, dressed like the people, and behaved like one among them. Yet, she was rejected by that nation. Some imitate Christians in their vocabulary, follow a certain behavior pattern of some denominations or cults, and wear a crucifix as a pendant. All these are self-deceptive actions.

Spiritual birth A person listens to the gospel, is convicted of sin, repents, forsakes sin, receives the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, then is miraculously Born Again. The person’s past sins are washed away, reconciled with God, and declared righteous. Now, that person is a child of God and a citizen of the Kingdom of God. (John 1:12; Philippians 3:20)