A young friend of mine asked me
“Christ says, we must be born again. I see that there’s an actual need. But HOW does that even happen?”
You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
John 3:7, NIV
My response:
The simplified response would be dying to self and giving of oneself unreservedly to God (heart, strength, mind and soul). In other words, that old word we struggle with: DAILY SURRENDER and DENYING SELF.
From the very onset, let me just say, the Holy Spirit is the One that enables this whole conversion experience from start to finish.
She then asked “What does surrender look like? Practically… In my day to day life.”
My response:
🟢 Prayer
- Daily consecration: “‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day.” Ellen White, Prayer, p. 23.
- Repentance: repent over any known sin.
- Open channel: availing an open channel of communication with Him throughout the day.
- Asking for the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
🔴 Plans – “Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.” Ellen White, Prayer, p. 23.
🔵 Obedience
- Continual and regular study of God’s word to know Him and His will.
- Obeying God’s precepts and will as revealed in your study of the Bible.
Choosing His way over my own and trusting Him for it.
🟡 Acceptance – “Lord, I do not like this trial, but I accept it. Help me not to whine but to trust You through it, to whatever end You desire and rejoice while at it.”
🟠 Waiting
- when God’s will is not clear or where God has not given directive, wait in patience for Him to speak.
- Claiming God’s promises as revealed in His word and trusting He shall fulfill them in at the best time for your best good.
Why?
Why do I write about this? Because, I want you, o young one, to have eternal life. Conversion to Christ is the most important decision you will ever make. Yes, more important than what career to choose and even whom you will marry.
So how then do you make that step to following Christ, or to be converted?
- Accept that Jesus Christ loves you and died for you.
- Believe that He died for you and that His righteousness is available for you.
- Confess your sin before Him, believing He forgives and makes you just and righteous like He is.
- Surrender your life to Him daily.
No, conversion does not have to be dramatic or with a euphoric feeling of “holy ghost fire coming down over your head”. Not at all. It is a conscious choice to let Jesus reign over your life.
Remember too, conversion is a process. Yes, the moment one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour over their life, they are accepted in Him. However, one needs to give themselves daily to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to rule their life.
No, conversion does not mean you will become a boring, old sissy. Not at all! True Christian living is fun and enjoyable. There are hundreds of honest and pure recreation activities for one to enjoy as a young christian.
Does giving your life to Jesus mean you will not have challenges in life? Not at all! It means that now you don’t have to face those challenges alone. There shall be One to walk with you through life’s trials.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4, NIV
Does it also mean that tomorrow you may not sin? If you do, remember, you are invited to confess your sin and ask Jesus to help you live a life that pleases Him. He will willingly forgive you and grant you strength to be like Him.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9, NIV
Should you make a choice to follow Jesus, do let me know. I would love to hear from you (teensmentor365@gmail.com)
