How to be Born Again?

[u/_Motorbreath]

I've been a "Christian" all my life and while I think deep down I believe, at least to an extent, there's this disconnect between me and God and the Christian life that has been there always as well. This past year I've been searching for God or a sense of understanding and peace but no matter what I've tried, I don't feel even remotely close to connecting. I've maintained some bad habits but I have tried to repent but that never works. I've tried surrender and praying for true surrender but that hasn't happened either. Every day I'm stressed about something to the point it makes me depressed and I turn away from God even more. I've asked God for solutions and help but I feel I'm in the desert. I heard someone tell me my lack of peace and progress comes from the fact I'm not Born Again. If this is true, how can I become Born Again truly so I can finally find peace and surrender in my life?

[u/riolastar]

Jesus says we can’t live/survive here on earth by just food alone and that we have to read God’s word on a daily basis to survive spiritually.

Reading His Word is literally like a spiritual meal for us and unites us closer to God. Once I understood this, I finally got it. A lot of people are literally starving bro.

On the question of born again -

I don’t know if you have yet but it’s extremely important to read at least one of the Gospels all the way through. (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John)

I already had believed in God and what Jesus had done but I became born again once I got serious and let Him know ; Lord, I know I need you, I’m done with letting sin control me, from this point forward I commit my life to you Jesus.

I meant it 100% because I knew God knew whether or not I was being serious. At that moment I received the Holy Spirit (literally felt it) and that’s when I was born again.

Then the journey had started. I read the Gospels very soon after, but I realized from that point on ; believing in Jesus isn’t just an idea, it’s an action.

[u/jelltech]

Connect to the net not the not. There is no one righteous not one. Your dirt isn't more dirty then anyone elses. We are in a system of dirt, don't worry about the dirt or people accusing you of dirt while they are sitting in dirt too. Just ask your self what's best for those around you and what's best for yourself and keep your input output open to this, act when you can and relax when you can, but always be ready to work all things for the best no matter the dirt you find yourself in. Stay in a constant foot washing, be in Christ Iesus and there is no condemnation. Love God and Love Your neighbor as yourself, not by works lest any man boast, but by responsiveness and willingness to work all things for the best for yourself and for those around you. If you have a problem finding others to work all things for the best with, find a church/group that will be a conduit for what you can offer and start to love.

[u/Fight_Satan]

Prayer is the only way

Luke 11:13 NKJV If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Stop trying and just pray about it ... In your weakness he is strong..

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[u/Relevant-Action-7658]

When I first tried coming to him it took awhile for the breakthrough I was looking for. It started though with the fear of the lord and dilligently seeking him. The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9 10) and But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

[u/Shaken-Loose]

OP, in your post you express a desire to be a follower of Christ, but say “I’ve been a Christian all my life”.

Please share some details to help us understand.

[u/JHawk444]

Well, first, I don't think anyone can tell you with certainty that you're not born again unless you simply don't believe in Christ. I'm not saying people can't look at your fruit. I'm saying they don't know your heart. The main chapter most look at for understanding what it means to be born again is John 3.

When Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again, he referred to an example in Exodus of the Israelites being bitten by poisonous snakes and Moses lifting up a bronze serpent. Everyone who looked up at the bronze serpent was saved from dying. In the same way, we are dying because of our sin. When we look to Christ's death on the cross and trust him to save us, we receive eternal life.

Being born again also means the Holy Spirit cleanses us and regenerates us, giving us new desires. That doesn't mean there won't be a lifelong process of sanctification where we grow in those desires. Struggling with sin doesn't instantly mean someone isn't born again. Everyone struggles with sin (1 John 1:8-10).

So, here's my question for you. Have you placed your faith in Jesus and are you trusting in his death on the cross to save you?

[u/ReplyKey1659]

When you are born again, you feel god's spirit inside you. It comes and goes like the wind. That's what every person being born again experiences. Some sort of supernatural force from the holy spirit.

It doesn't require almost any knowledge of god at all. Just knowing jesus died and was raised for your sins and is the son of god. Its more like raw desperation of reptentance. The sins you are struggling with, you have to turn from them in your heart. You say that repentance 'never works', in my experience, god is waiting for you to give 100%. When you give 100% of your effort, and you are crying out for him to take this from you. When you decide in your heart, you don't want to be a slave in Egypt anymore. You want to follow Jesus!

That's when god takes it from you, when your heart is decided and not divided. Remember the parable of the sower. Only the good soil, the undivided soil bears fruit! He literally gives you the victory. You can't be free on your own. You have to die to yourself. And know that jesus will give you life again. He will set you free.

That's faith! I encourage you to walk this out today!! I am praying for you now.

[u/ds-is-i]

Being born again is defined as believing on Jesus (John 1:12-13, 1 John 5:1). If you’ve believed (Rom. 10:9) the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4) you are “passed from death unto life” (John 5:24) and shall not be condemned (Rom. 8:1).

Upon belief you are “sealed by the spirit as a guarantee of your inheritance” (Eph. 1:13-14). This inheritance is described as “incorruptible, undefiled, it fadeth not away and is reserved for you in Heaven”; “salvation” is also “kept by the power of God through faith” (1 Peter 1:4-5).

There’s nothing you could do that will make God take salvation from you. If He did He would be breaking the new covenant. Salvation isn’t dependent on our effort, but fully on Gods power.

[u/maxamir777]

as a person has no choice in their birth so they have no choice in their re-birth because all are born spiritually dead and can not do anything to make themselves alive therefore Christ came to save His people His Father has chosen and given to Him by dying for them to pay the price they could never pay and was raised from the dead to raise them from their death and make them new creatures in Him.

Therefore the most important question a person must ask themselves is not whether they have chosen God but whether God has chosen them for those whom He has chosen will be born again by Him to obey His just command given to all to repent and believe on Christ alone.

[u/Competitive_Elkrnr]

I don't believe the way 'born again' is used today Jesus envisioned when he said the phrase. Being born again is literally relying completely on God to talk walk and think differently. It isn't just mental belief and going to church. It's everything. I sympathize with you. It took me years to fully surrender and truly repent. If you can, do a 24-48 hour water fast. During that time read the Bible for at least an hour a day. Get up early. Tell God you don't want things to be as they are any longer. Turn off all other media sources during the time. The Old Testament people sacrificed to reconnect to God. In the New covenant our bodies are the sacrifice. So that means making ourselves do things we don't necessarily want to do. Praying God give you the grace to get breakthrough.