Salvation: More than a decision
Did you know, being a Christian begins with a decision on your part, but is carried out by the Holy Spirit? Spiritual life begins with spiritual birth, given by God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
When a person truly comes to Jesus and accepts Him as his Lord and Savior, much more takes place as a result of that decision than mental assent or becoming a member of a religion. Salvation is an action that takes place in the spirit part of you at the very moment you make that decision. Your spirit (the real you), is reborn. This is done by God Himself.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.
Jesus explained it like this while speaking to Nicodemus, a teacher of the law.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Many people aren’t familiar with the term “born-again” however; this is exactly what Jesus said. Nicodemus questioned Him, not understanding that Jesus was speaking about a man’s spirit.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?”
Again, Jesus explained;
John 3:5-6 …. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
How does this happen? It happens by the Word of God.
The Word of God is seed, that when sown in our heart transforms us by regenerating our spirit, making it alive and one with God. When you hear the Word of God about what Jesus did to save you, and believe it in your heart, you receive salvation and are born again by that Word. (Romans 10:9-10)
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Peter 1:23(AMP) for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God.
What does this mean? We, in our reborn spirit, are one with God. His Spirit is joined with ours. We become united with, and plugged back into the source of eternal life.
1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
In our spirit, we are exactly like Him.
1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
Christ in you is now a reality!!
Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
It is this truth, the Spirit of Christ dwelling within you (your spirit), which makes you a Christian!