The phrase Born Again is confusing for many people. Airing on Revelation TV on Wednesday 22nd March 2011, Dr Richard Kent - researcher into Near Death Experiences and other phenomena, and evangelist Pastor Roger French, explained the meaning and significance of being born again.
The God-Shaped Hole - What is it?
Many people experience a deep sense of emptiness, loneliness and dissatisfaction with their lives - even when they are enjoying wealth, relationships and all of the material benefits that modern life offers. This sense of need can only be filled, according to Dr Kent, by God.
However, in this cynical world of disbelief in the spiritual dimension, it is a crisis that often prompts people to search for a way of fulfilling the deeper needs of their soul. Testimony from people who have died and come back again can be compelling for those who are searching for truth.
Survival Evidence of Near Death Experiences
Dr Richard Kent gave powerful evidence of the "after life" - heaven and hell - showing filmed testimonies by Ian McCormack and other survivors of hellish or heavenly Near Death Experiences (NDEs).
It was noticeable that after such experiences, people who had been living very flawed lives (gangsters, drug addicts, murderers, hedonists and materialists) had undergone a complete change of focus. For example, Ian McCormack - self confessed drug-taking hedonist in the 1970s - after his NDE became a born again Christian and now tours the world speaking of his experiences of heaven and hell and his conversation with Jesus.
The Sinner's Prayer and How to Be Born Again
Dr. Kent and Pastor French spoke about the need to be born again so that during this life and during the afterlife one can take strength, peace and refuge from the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr Kent explained that being in full relationship with God, through Jesus, allows the born again Christian to access healing, protection and peace.
The process involves asking for forgiveness, asking to be brought into line with God's wishes for us and offering forgiveness to those who have harmed us in the past.
Why We Have to Forgive our Enemies
Dr Richard Kent explained that when people are holding onto unforgiveness, they are committing a sin that will cut them off from God and heaven. If Ian McCormack hadn't forgiven his enemies, he would have put himself out of reach of God and would have languished in hell.
How to Become Born Again - This Is the Process
If you want to ask to be born again, when you have read through and understood the following stages, simply go back to number 1 and ask prayerfully for help with each of the following items. Pause for a while after each item to bring to mind anything that needs to be worked on.
- Ask Jesus to forgive your shortcomings - there is no sin that cannot be forgiven if one is serious about wanting to change. Some of the worst offenders become the greatest saints - St Paul was responsible for the deaths of many Christians until his experience on the road to Damascus.
- Give forgiveness to those who have offended you - being in unforgiveness can keep us out of heaven, according to Pastor Okechuquu who, during his NDE, went to heaven after a car wreck but was told that he would go to hell if he didn't forgive his wife. Fortunately it wasn't his time to go then and he was able to bring back his testimony to share with the world.
- Ask Jesus to be your saviour. Ask him to help you to change so that you are in line with His wishes.
- Tell somebody that you have just asked to be born again. Phone a friend or a prayer line.
What to Do After You've been Born Again
After being born again it is important to get support in your journey. Find a spirit-filled church and get some guidance on your spiritual walk by a priest, pastor or leader you can trust. Then it's a good idea to read the Bible as this will powerfully encourage you - start with the New Testament and read the words of Jesus when he walked the earth.
It may be a bit tough at first so remember to ask Jesus to help you when you are struggling. He loves you. Please be patient with yourself and keep on asking for help. Being born again is just the start of the process, according to Dr Kent. One needs to allow the changes to continue over time gradually allowing spiritual growth and awareness to develop.
Reference
Dr Richard Kent & Pastor Roger French, Revelation TV, Wednesday 22nd March, 1011
