There comes a moment in some people’s lives when one instance changes everything. The world remains the same, the problems are the same, people around them are the same, and the only thing which has changed is that they are not the same anymore. Some of you reading this will agree with me for you have experienced it yourself.

It’s the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some called it the moment they receive salvation, while others call it a born again experience. For some it happens in a revival, others experience it in the wilderness, some at the last moment of their death. Sometimes people receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and later receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as for others, it all happens at the same time. How it happens exactly is different for everyone.

Some experience it as a gentle breeze which transforms their lives little by little every day, while others experience it like a whirlwind, which in a moment changes their entire life. The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit (John 3:8 NLT).

Those that have no such experience fail to comprehend and appreciate this great mystery. They remain alienated to the work of the Holy Spirit. It is difficult for someone in the natural to understand the supernatural work of God, which leads them only to undermine and deny the work of the Holy Spirit.

bornagainWind has different names depending on its strength, duration and direction, such as: gust, squalls, breeze, gale, storm, hurricane and typhoon. The wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and it represents its power. Wind produces life by scattering seeds as it blows which brings new growth. It purifies the atmosphere and blows away the pollution. Wind shapes landforms, it can spread a wildfire.

Likewise, believers who are filled with this mighty power of the Holy Spirit are transformed and purified. The seed of God’s word is planted in their life and it brings forth growth. The Holy Spirit sets people’s life ablaze with the love of God and the ministry of the word.

Although you can’t see the wind, you can see its effects. In the same way, you cannot see the Holy Spirit, but you can see the transformation and manifestation that takes place in the lives of believers.

There is only one type of Christian, and it’s the one that is baptised in the Holy Spirit, the one that has accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, the one that is born again. The rest of them are only pretenders or living in deception. Please listen to this carefully, what kind of Christian can someone claim to be, if they are on their way to hell?

If you find this disturbing, let me ask you something? What kind of doctor, would you prefer? The one that tells you, everything is fine and that you should continue the way you live, or the one that looks at you in the eyes, and tells you that you are going to die and the only way you can survive is to change your entire lifestyle.

You may say, well you were baptised as a baby, you went to Sunday school, you go to church every Sunday, you pray, you read the bible, you observe all the Ten Commandments, God surely loves you and you get along well with everyone. You are sure you will make it to heaven, after all, you have been so diligent. Would you like to find out, what Jesus has to say about your prospects in heaven?

There was once a man that far exceeded in holiness compared to any average Christian, his name is Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and a leader of the Jewish people. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the high court in Israel, which makes him a highly influential and powerful man. He was wealthy, greatly admired by the fellow Jews, and honoured by all for his upright living. This man was a flawless Jew that had everything a Jew would need to enter heaven. Yet, at night Nicodemus came to Jesus asking Him, how he could obtain eternal life.

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit (John 3: 1-5 NIV).”

Jesus, tells Nicodemus a righteous Jew that all his conduct and observance of the law and the religious rituals would not get him to heaven. Jesus tells him that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Many say that this refers to water baptism, but it is not water baptism. It is the baptism of the Spirit that Jesus is referring to, a person is born again spiritually by receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16 NIV).”

It’s easy to settle down with what is convenient and easy, but please do not be deceived. Jesus alone is the way to heaven and therefore He alone knows the way. If you want to get to heaven, it’s not the doctrine of men or their interpretation of scripture that you need to observe, but truly seek for the truth and follow and trust only Jesus for He alone is the truth.

How can a person be born again? As with every birth, we are not born on our own, but begotten by our parents. Similarly, in our spiritual birth, we are begotten by God. We are born in the spirit by the Holy Spirit of God. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him (John 3:14-15 NIV).”

To receive eternal life, repent of all your sins, receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, and by faith invite the Holy Spirit in your life. Salvation is a free gift, so precious and yet easily available to everyone that believes and receives it by faith. Many are full of self-righteousness and are unable to receive it. A person needs to humble themselves, become like a child that completely trusts his Heavenly Father, to be born again, to receive the Holy Spirit and to be saved.

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