What Does it Mean to be Born Again?

What exactly does being born again mean?

In the Gospel of John, chapter 3 we see an interesting conversation between Jesus Christ and a pharisee named Nicodemus.  Nicodemus was a so-called religious spiritual leader of that time, yet Nicodemus didn't even himself have the proper spiritual education to lead the Israelites.  We see that Nicodemus would come to Jesus by night with questions, and right away Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  So here we see that being "born again" is not an option but a necessity if you plan on going to heaven with Jesus Christ.  In verse 7, notice Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Marvel not that said unto thee, Ye must be born again."  In otherwards, Jesus is explaining to Nicodemus as Jesus is telling each individual today, stop trying to figure everything out, if I said it then there is no further need to question me. Trust me.  People outside of the body of Christ, have a hard time understanding this concept, but Jesus is telling you to put your faith and trust in Him today.  Lets move on.  When an individual puts their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, Ephesians 1:13 states, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after ye believed , ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."  What actually takes place is the Holy Spirit comes insides of your heart and you are sealed in a sense that now you are bought with the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit is the evidence that you are going to one day be in heaven with Jesus. What else takes place is you are now a new creature in Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17  states, " Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a  new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. " Now that you belong to Jesus, His Spirit is now beginning to change and cleanse you to His likeness.  Being a new creature doesn't mean you are sinless, but that Jesus has now started a good work in you and will indeed complete it in the process called sanctification. Lastly, Jesus stated in John 15:5-6 without bearing fruit, we are yet in danger of eternal damnation.  The fruit Jesus is referring to is the fruit of the Holy Spirit within an individual's life.  Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."  When an individual is truly born again, He will show these actual traits or "fruits" proving that the Holy Spirit does indeed dwell within them. The main difference between someone who claims to be a christian and the individual who really is a christian is this very necessity-being born again. There are many that claim to be a christian and follower of Jesus Christ, but are not born again.  Do not be one of these people.  Do not be deceived, unless you are born again you will not go to heaven.  Put your faith in Jesus Christ today.  Now lets break this down in simpler terms:

1)Repent

2)Receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior

3)Receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit(born again) and eternal life

4)Now that you belong to God, live and serve Him with everything that you are and have