The Born Again Club

Given August 9, 2006
First of all, I want to apologize for so much time between posts lately. With vacations and the beginning of school, I have been swamped. I hope to do better for those of you who are regular readers.

I heard a comment in church recently that made me think about how things have been done in churches over the years. Our preachers preach rousing sermons about the need for salvation and people will come to the alter in the passion of the moment, say a "magic" prayer, maybe cry, then bask in the love of God and the applause of the congregation. These people have become "born again". But is that all there is to it?

The Bible says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21". Saying a prayer at the alter is only the first step of being a Christian just as being born the first time was only the first step in earthly life. There's a whole lot more to it than that. Now, many people do get the "real thing" at the alter and go away changed forever. I'm afraid, however, many go away unchanged thinking that saying that "magic prayer" did it for them eternally. Will that hold up when they stand before the Judgement Throne of God? "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27. And.."Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:20". They will follow Jesus and you'll be able to tell it by the way they live. They are changed forever.

I'm afraid there will be many who will be shocked at the judgement who thought being in the "Born Again Club" would get them in. "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:23". We all need to examine our lives, with prayer and maybe fasting, to see if we're where we need to be. If we see, through the Holy Spirit, that we're lacking, we can repent and make amends. Standing before the Judgement Throne of God will not be the time to do this. That will be too late!