I still remember kneeling at the altar with tears streaming down my cheeks. I had hit rock bottom after years of alcohol abuse, wild living, addiction to pornography, and running from God.
As the preacher led me through the sinner’s prayer, I felt a wave of peace and joy wash over me. At that moment, I became born again.
Becoming a born-again Christian changed everything for me. I found purpose, community, and hope.
My story is not unique. Many Christians can testify of the life-changing new birth experience when they surrendered their lives to Christ.
If you feel far from God or question if he’s real, I hope my story will give you the push to take that first step toward Him.
What Does “Born Again Christian” Mean?
I used to think the phrase “born again Christian” referred to people who got dunked in water at church. But it goes much deeper than a splash of H2O.
Jesus said in John 3:3 (NIV):
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
biblegateway.com
Being born again means giving your life to Christ. It’s realizing you are a sinner, repenting, and accepting God’s forgiveness and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
God adopts you as His child and sends the Holy Spirit to transform you from within.
My friend Nancy explained it to me like this:
“Picture God reaching out to extract you from the trash heap of humanity. He dusts you off, breathes new life into your lungs, and welcomes you home as a child of God.”
That visual helped me understand being born again isn’t about religion — it’s about a restored relationship with our Father.
My Journey From Sinner to Saint
I grew up going to church but never fully grasped what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
By age 16, I fled my parent’s faith and embarked on a 14-year journey of running from God.
I pursued worldly thrills to numb my pain and loneliness. But the hole in my heart only grew. I kept thinking, “There has to be more to life than this!”
At age 30, burdened by regrets and powerless to change myself, I stumbled into a church service with an old friend.
That day the preacher spoke words that cut straight into my heart:
“You try to fill your life with money, sex, drugs, and alcohol. But you still feel empty inside. There’s only one thing that can satisfy your hungry soul — the unyielding love of Jesus Christ.”
I practically ran to the altar in desperation when she made the altar call.
Finally, I understood that on my own I was helpless. I needed Jesus to forgive, heal, and transform me.
For the first time, I understood John 3:7 (NIV):
“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
biblegateway.com
With tears streaming down my face, I confessed my sins and surrendered everything to God. I accepted Christ’s death on the cross as payment for my wrongdoings.
Jesus said to Nicodemus about the new birth:
5 “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
John 3:5-9 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
As I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, it felt like the weight of the world lifted off me. I was cleansed, restored, and made brand new!
Key Changes After My Rebirth Experience
When I rose from that altar, I felt remade. It was as if Christ breathed new life into my lungs and gave me a heart transplant.
Here are some of the most notable changes after I became born again:
- Desire to Obey the Word of God: I suddenly hungered to read Scripture. I wanted its truth to permeate my mind and transform me. The Bible became my lifeline for navigating life’s challenges.
- Distaste for Sin: Activities I once enjoyed like getting drunk, sleeping around, and pornography lost their appeal. The Holy Spirit now convicted me to live morally and uprightly.
- Heart to Serve: Instead of living selfishly, I felt immense joy helping others. I volunteered at Church and donated time to visit the sick in the hospital.
- Sense of Purpose: Being part of God’s family and joining in His redemptive work infused everyday moments with meaning. My eyes opened to the eternal significance of mundane tasks.
- Unshakable Inner Peace: Despite external chaos, I felt securely rooted in Christ’s love. He erased my anxieties and provided a “peace that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Through my rebirth in Christ, I went from slave to sin to saint empowered to live righteously.
I found the purpose for which I was created — to glorify God with my life.
Key Takeaways: What Every Born Again Christian Should Know
If you just made a decision for Christ or are exploring the faith, here are some key takeaways about the born-again life:
- It starts with an encounter with Jesus Christ where you admit that you’re a sinner and accept God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation by putting your faith in Christ alone. This is what it means to be “born again.”
- When you are born again, the Holy Spirit regenerates your heart and empowers you to grow in Christlike character.
- Water baptism provides an opportunity to publicly declare your new life in front of family and friends.
- Being born again launches you on a journey of becoming sanctified. Through disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, church community, and serving others, you’ll become more like Jesus.
- You still might struggle with sin and hardships, but the Holy Spirit living inside you empowers you to choose righteousness over temptation.
- This lifelong process of being sanctified prepares you for eternity in God’s presence. One day you’ll receive a perfect, glorified body free from the presence and temptation of sin.
Are You Ready for a Rebirth?
Becoming a born-again Christian set me on the greatest adventure of my life. My past no longer defines me because I’m made new in Christ.
Instead of slavery to sin, I found freedom living under God’s grace. And my eternal destination switched from hell to heaven in a split second of surrender to Jesus.
No matter your life story — full of blessings or regrets, joys or pains — I urge you to consider what Jesus offers. He stands ready to rescue you, rebuild you, and welcome you.
Your fresh start begins when you cry out, “Jesus, be my Lord and Savior. I choose you today!”
Will you accept God’s gift of eternal life through Christ? This is your opportunity to become a brand-new creation!
I’m praying for you as you consider taking that next step on the greatest journey there is — a lifelong walk with Jesus Christ.
Being born again into His family will transform you forever!
Frequently Asked Questions About Being Born Again
Q. What happens when you become born again?
A. When you become born again, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you. Your sins are forgiven as God gives you a fresh start.
You are adopted into his family and begin the adventure of faith!
Q. How do you become a born-again Christian?
A. First, admit you are a sinner in need of salvation. Then, ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
Put your complete faith and trust in Christ’s death on the cross to cleanse you from sin. Repent by turning away from sin to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly.
Q. Do you have to be baptized to become born again?
A. No. Becoming born again happens when you genuinely repent and put your faith in Jesus.
Baptism is a public declaration of what Christ has already accomplished in your heart. But baptism by itself does not save you.
Q. What changes when you become born again?
A. Some changes include:
- A growing love for God and his Word.
- The Holy Spirit comes to live inside you to shape your character and guide your decisions.
- New joy and purpose fill your days.
- Increased desire to avoid destructive habits.
- Passion to serve others and share your faith.
It will transform everything about you as you grow to become more like Christ!
