Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.
It’s a transformation. When one is born again their very nature will be changed. It’s hard to put into words but any sinful activities you used to enjoy, maybe vulgar humor or tv shows, or lusts or anything, you won’t enjoy them anymore.
You will be filled with such an overwhelming sense of love and peace, you will greatly enjoy fellowship with others, when someone gets hurt and cries, you feel a very deep grief along with them. If you struggle with fear, you will feel more courageous, really there’s so much that happens.
The Holy Spirit will work in your life and you will be able to feel Him there with you, God will heal any heartbreak or emotional pains.
It’s such an amazing experience and just explaining it doesn’t do it justice.
1. A Desire for God
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God.” (Psalm 42:1-2)
Although I was already praying and studying the Bible, I couldn’t get enough of God. I stopped reading the Bible just for knowledge and started reading the Bible to grow closer to God. I couldn’t get enough of Him and His presence. I woke up in the morning thinking about God. I thought about Him on my commute to work and all day while I was at work and on my commute back home. When I was home, I was reading my Bible. He was the last thought before I drifted off to sleep. As I look back over that time in my life, I see my hunger for God was one of the first real indications that I was a born-again Christian.
2. A Desire for Church Fellowship
“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
The more I desired God, the more I wanted to go to church. I loved being around other people who felt about God the way I did. I loved listening to sermons, and Sunday school, and Bible study lessons. My family and friends were confused by my desire to want to always be in church. It wasn’t that I “had” to go, I “wanted” to go. I loved the atmosphere. I loved the people. I loved the love and acceptance I felt in the church. The more I attended church, the more I wanted to attend church. This too is an indication of a born-again Christian.
3. A Desire for the Word of God
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
Another indication of a born-again Christian is the desire to hear and study the word of God. Christians around the world find comfort, hope, and encouragement through the scriptures. Regardless of what we face in life, there’s a scripture in the Bible on which we can stand. Christians love reading the Bible and will sometimes have Bibles in their car, on their desks at work, and in multiple locations in their homes, if they are fortunate to have multiple copies of Scripture. Christians will also take their bibles on vacation with them, or wherever they travel. And in this technologically advanced era, we have the convenience of Bible apps on our mobile devices. If you have a new-found desire to study the word of God, you may be a Christian!
4. A Desire to Grow Spiritually
“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects unto Him who is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:14-15)
One of the side-effects of studying the Bible, attending church, and drawing closer to God is spiritual growth. Born-again Christians desire to grow in the things of God. They want to get better, be better, and serve better. Christians want to be more like Jesus. They want to be transformed into the image of Christ instead of conforming to the ways of the world.
5. Fruit of the Spirit is Evidenced
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”(Galatians 5:22-23)
As born-again Christians begin to grow spiritually, they begin to display the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to manifest instead of works of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). The fruit of the Spirit are real indicators of a renewed life, a life chasing after Christ.
6. Changing from Pessimism to Optimism
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Born-again Christians should be the most optimistic people. Our outlook on life should be positive. We should not be pessimists, seeing negative in everything and everybody. Indeed, born-again Believers stand on Romans 8:28 knowing in their hearts that everything is going to work together for their good because they love God and are called according to His purpose.
7. A Change in Entertainment
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
Another indication of a born-again Christian is a change in entertainment. I used to be a huge fan of rap music, and to be honest, I still enjoy R&B and old-school hip-hop music. However, there’s nothing like an uplifting Gospel or inspirational Christian song. Life becomes about worship, and worship is expressed in all areas of believers’ lives. Music particularly draws many closer to God and helps born-again Believers gain a greater appreciation for the Lord. Also, certain movies, books, and magazines will no longer appeal to born-again believers. Instead of finding joy in carnal things, the new Christian finds joy in spiritual matters.
8. A Desire to Share the Gospel
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
Another indication of a born-again Christian is the desire to share the Gospel. Christians love Jesus and want their families and friends to love Him too. Born-again Christians will share the Gospel, as well as information about their church services. They want to persuade people to accept Jesus Christ because they understand the consequences of rejecting Christ.
9. A Desire for Ministry
“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.” (Romans 1:11)
When I started attending the church in 1997, I didn’t know anything about spiritual gifts. And when I started learning about them, I didn’t think I had one. I got involved in ministries without knowing whether I had a gift or not. I just wanted to be involved in the church. Within a year or two of joining that church, I was taught through Bible study and the singles ministry, preached my first sermon, sang in the choir, participated in morning prayer, and witnessed with the evangelism team. Ministry takes all kinds of forms of serving and blessing Christ’s church as well as the surrounding community. This desire to serve is an indication of a born-again Christian.
10. Sin-less
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
Everyone sins, Christians, and non-Christians alike. However, one of the indications of born-again Christians is that we should be moving further and further away from habits of sin after accepting Christ. Sin shouldn’t have the control over our lives that it had before salvation. Blatant, presumptuous sin should never be named among Christians. The things we used to do should make us uncomfortable. We should feel conviction from the Holy Spirit when we sin against God. Thus, born-again Christians sin less as they are renewed day by day into new creations (2 Corinthians 4:16).
These are just ten indications of a born-again Christian. These aren’t the only ten. I encourage you to grow in Christ, establish and nurture a relationship with Him. You’re on a beautiful journey that gets better every day. Press into the Lord, love Him, and let Him reveal more of Himself to you. You will never regret choosing to follow Christ.
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and eternal life—abundant and eternal.
The Bible says:
“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
“I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God’s forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”