Apostle Grace Lubega. COURTESY PHOTO.
In John 3, Nicodemus —a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council—came to Jesus by night, and asked Him some questions.
Jesus looked at him and said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:5,7, NIV).
Across the world today, being called a “born-again Christian” means many things to many people — and some still do not know why it matters.
In a recent online devotion, Phaneroo Ministries International founder, Apostle Grace Lubega addressed the matter, citing salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the greatest decision a man can ever make.
Mr Lubega urged that when one is born-again, he or she is “set apart, sanctified, peculiar and different.”
Like many today, Nicodemus through John 3:4 admitted he has no idea what Jesus was talking about: “How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter into their mother’s womb a second time to be born!”
Jesus answered, John 3:5-8: “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Through John 1:12-13, Apostle Lubega detailed how born-again is a spiritual renewal caused by the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a person.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God,” the scripture reads.
Bible scholars believe Jesus spoke of being “born again” to explain what must happen in the heart, mind, and soul of the believer who is transformed by the grace and forgiveness of God.
“I have known Christians who shy away from being recognised as Born Again. They cannot boldly claim so because they associate some form of stigma to who they are in God,” Apostle Grace Lubega said.
Adding: “How can you be ashamed of carrying the life of God? How can you be ashamed of not being born of flesh and blood but the will of God? How can you be ashamed of being the temple of God? How can you be ashamed of having the same power that raised Christ from the dead? How can you be ashamed of being under a new covenant, of being a new creature in Christ, of the fact that old things are passed away and the new has come and all things are of God?
“Be proud to be Born Again! Say it with boldness, speak and confess it without apology. It is who you are. Wear it as a badge of honour
“Understand that because you are born again, you are set apart, sanctified, peculiar and different! It cost God His son to make you so; it took the shedding of divine blood to make you so; it took God becoming flesh to make you so; it took Him humbling Himself to the cross to make you so. Embrace your identity with all the dignity and enthusiasm it deserves,” the apostle explained.
