… if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
– 2 Corinthians 5:17
Some people have a vivid memory of a turning point in life when they asked Jesus to save them. They can share a personal testimony divided sharply between before Christ and after Christ. But, others don’t remember when the relationship began.
Ruth Graham was a marvelous Christian who said she honestly could not remember the specific moment when she trusted Christ for her salvation. But, she knew she trusted Him and the trusting relationship with her heavenly Father began when she was a very young child.
People who testify of the time and place when they were born again sometimes bring discomfort to people who grew up believing they have been Christians their whole lives. As we have already said, to be a real Christian we must be born again. But, ultimately the issue is not what we remember about the experience of being born again; the real issue is: Who is in charge of your life now?
Being born again is not the final goal of life in Christ. Being born again is the means to reach the goal. The purpose of being born again is new life in the kingdom of God. The goal of life in the kingdom of God is an intimate relationship with my heavenly Father, who is also my King.
Being born again is not about understanding fully the ramifications of my decision in asking Jesus Christ to save me. He does not expect instant spiritual maturity. But, being born again is life in the Spirit, living in the kingdom of God as His subject. The irreducible confession of those who have been born again is: “Jesus is Lord!”
Prayer is an intimate, personal relationship with a living heavenly Father. He has not left us to guess what pleases Him. He has given us His Holy Spirit and His written word. As I have studied the Bible, the Lord has assured me that walking an aisle cannot save, nor can praying a prescribed prayer, filling out a card, being baptized or anything else I can do. My only hope is in Jesus. Jesus Himself saves us. Jesus alone saves us.
It’s important to be clear about your own salvation; you need to know whether or not you have crossed the line from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God. Examine your life and see where you are currently living. This is not a one-time examination. We are advised in Scripture to make spiritual examination a life-long habit:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
… make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-11
Who is the boss in your life? Who is your King? Are you spending time in intimate communion with your heavenly Father? Are you studying God’s word and seeking to obey? Are you confessing and obeying the truth the Holy Spirit has revealed to you about yourself? Is your life characterized by darkness and confusion, or are you living in the kingdom of God, reflecting Christ’s character?
If you conclude that you have never really received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, ask Him to save you. It is not a matter of promising Him that you will improve your behavior. Instead, recognize that you have been living as if Jesus is not the King, and, therefore, you need His forgiveness. Not only that, you need for Him to change you from the inside out. Ask Him to do this. He has promised to save those who ask. Your heavenly Father wants an intimate, personal relationship with you. Will you ask Jesus to save you?
