Dear Children, you have told us you have a heartfelt longing to make a covenant with the Lord. Now you have to be born again. You may not understand what that means, like Nicodemus who came to Jesus in the night also didn't understand. But while he was sincere and came to Jesus in the night out of faith, he was given grace, light and knowledge.
Where does that knowledge and good conscience come from? It only comes from a heart awakened through the Word of God. God will cause the Word to flourish and to increase in a person. He will uproot all that is carnal and implant what is godly. From that originates the new birth, of which Christ says, ‘Unless a person is born anew of water and of the Spirit, entrance into the kingdom of God is not possible.’ The meaning is that whoever is instructed by the Word of God and believes it, will have his faith sealed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through that, one is renewed or born again and led into a holy, godly life. That person may then receive the water of baptism as a sign of the death of the old self. (Confession of Faith page 196-97)
We must be born again. We must deny our own will. We must confess our sins and trespasses. We must repent. We must lay aside the old man who is corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires and be renewed in spirit and mind. We must put on the new man who is created in God's image, in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.
We must be born again as the Apostle Paul on the way to Damascus, as Peter when the cock crowed and he rued his denial of Jesus, as Mary Magdalene at the feet of Jesus when he forgave her sins, as the prodigal son when he came to his senses, and as Zacchaeus when Jesus called him from the sycamore tree.
Holding God's word and commands are also part of being born again. Stay strong and true in the church, help to build the church, speak up and warn when you see a brother fail and be there to help him up when he falls.
The signs of being born again are that we bear the fruits of the Spirit. The more fruit a tree bears the more it bends over and lowers itself, but the tree that bears no fruit stands proud and tall. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
Dear children, we are mindful of you, make a strong promise with God, be born again, fear God, stay strong in faith and do what's right. Pray daily for the Holy Spirit that he may guide you all the days of your life.
Till next week God bless
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