Thankful for Being Born Again

We must be thankful to God we are born again or "born of God" as the apostle John puts it (1 John 3:9). But let's also have a heart for people who are being robbed of a relationship with God by being led astray. Be aware of the practice of the sinner's prayer which many are led to say to be born again. But if one's heart isn't in the right place before God that won't happen. Repentance for the forgiveness of sins is what Jesus commanded to be preached to all nations. And an invitation to pray the sinner's prayer is not a substitute for preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins by the power of the Holy Spirit who works to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8). That "sound" preaching isn't too politically correct for many these days. But that's what can put people's hearts in the right place before God, to "receive Jesus." True preaching of repentance makes people turn to God (Acts 26:20) or run away from God; consider the case of the apostle Paul who preached to governor Felix (Acts 24:24-25). If that preaching to the lost is done God's way, people won't stay in a limbo state and having doubts (if a relationship with God was in fact sincerely desired), or just having religion with lifestyle changes and all, but still not having Jesus or being truly born again according to the word of God.

The 3 quotes below are taken from this page: http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=34629&forum=36
It shows the issue we should be aware of as we care for each other in the church and for the lost.

Example:
“If you want to be born again, say these words to the Lord in sincerity from your heart, right now:

Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. I am a sinner who deserves hell. Thank You for loving me and dying for my sins on the cross. I believe You rose from the dead and are living today. I want to turn from my sinful life right now. Please forgive me all my sins and give me a hatred for sin. I forgive everyone who has harmed me in any way. Come into my life Lord Jesus, and be the Lord of my life from today onwards. Make me a child of God right now.”

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Comment 1:
"Prayers like the one you mentioned have been said by millions and led millions like myself into a false security. When God does a genuine work its is lasting. But when we try to do Gods work with psychosomatic induced emotionalism and mind control we produce believers with no real root within themselves that will only wither away."

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Comment 2:
"Living this prayer is more biblical than the actual prayer, my only problem with the sinner's prayer is it doesn't necessarily lead to repentance or relationship with Christ Jesus which is really what saves us not this prayer. I would also be leary of putting it on a website because discipleship or making sure people understand what a relationship with the Lord is all about is near impossible. Many will pray this prayer and it all ends there, the person tries a live a good life for Jesus in their own strength and power and then are placed under heavy condemnation when it doesn't work because they aren't quite sure what a relationship with the Lord is about."

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See also:
Powerful Testimonies From Former False Converts
https://youtu.be/Tcqu2WjSOJo

Angela's Powerful Testimony - From A False Convert To The Scales Falling Off Her Eyes!
https://youtu.be/XBKifqne4kY

By the word of their testimony... (Revelation 12:11)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQKBVZh0-tlLsSebgl9THMeiOpsvCvZeS

Grace and peace to you!