A Christian message has urged believers to seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, stressing that regular church attendance and religious activities alone do not constitute salvation.
The message, titled “You Must Be Born Again,” draws from Jesus Christ’s encounter with Nicodemus in John 3, where Christ declared: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
According to the message, salvation is a personal experience that cannot be inherited from parents or obtained simply through religious association.
It emphasised that every individual must make a personal decision concerning their faith, citing John 3:7: “Ye must be born again.”
The message uses Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Jewish religious leader, as an example of someone who was deeply religious but still needed to understand the message of salvation.
Despite his religious background, knowledge of Scripture and adherence to religious practices, Nicodemus approached Jesus at night seeking answers about the Kingdom of God.
During their encounter, Jesus explained that spiritual rebirth was essential and described the work of the Spirit as something beyond human understanding.
The message further highlights Christ’s declaration that He is the Light of the World, quoting John 8:12: “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
It argues that Nicodemus’ nighttime visit symbolised a transition from spiritual darkness into the light represented by Jesus Christ.
Central to the message is John 3:16, which states: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The message therefore calls on people who may be religious but have not experienced what it describes as genuine spiritual transformation to turn to Jesus Christ.
It urges readers to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, with reference to 1 John 1:7, which speaks of the cleansing power of Christ’s blood, and John 1:12, which says those who receive Him are given power to become children of God.
The message concludes with an appeal based on Romans 10:9-13, which teaches that salvation involves believing in the heart and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord.
It quotes the passage: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The message ends with a direct invitation to readers to embrace the Christian faith, experience spiritual renewal and begin a personal walk with Jesus Christ.
