Converted—Born Again

Whenever God draws a person to Himself and he gets converted, it is also normal for such a person to be born again. We are born again by the word of God. If the person is truly and genuinely converted, then God, on His part, is faithful and just to forgive a multitude of sins. He also cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Isaiah 55:7 and 1 John 1:9.

If the person is not genuinely and wholeheartedly converted, he is not born again either, and he is almost in a class with, “baptized they are, o’er land and sea, but where’s the fire of faith?” A conver­sion that does not lead to a new birth is just as useless as a two­wheeled barrow that has lost one wheel. You can still push it ahead a little bit because it is supported by two legs, but it cannot bear a load.

The person who has been born again has received a fervent love into his heart. He believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. God does a perfect work with everyone who is converted. He forgives, and cleanses him from all sinful works; he is born again by His word of truth, and God gives him a living hope in his heart. A person who is equipped like this does not need to fall. However, if it should happen that he drifts off into slothfulness, continuing to live in bondage and striving in his own strength, it is because of guile. Con­sidering the basis on which he gave himself to God and the stand he took before God’s face in these things, he must have fallen away in his heart. He has become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13.

Such a person can continue as before, with a nice outward life, but the fruit of conversion—which is the living hope of a new birth and the subsequent life of victory over sin—is lacking.

It is unspeakably great to be born of God. Then we do righteous­ness and sin does not gain entry into our life. We have been given the right to be sons in the house, and we shall never have to leave it again. We are safe for time and eternity. This is a blessed conversion and birth.