—By Isaiah Ogedegbe
The Bible makes no mention of, “Therefore if any man be in church,” but rather states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
What is the reason for this? It is because any man who is physically present in a church but spiritually disconnected from Christ will still engage in the old behaviors that are counterproductive.
You who participate in church activities but are disconnected from Christ, I understand that your acquaintance with the Lord is based on your knowledge of His Word. Nevertheless, after initially accepting Christ, you have chosen to move away from Him.
Abandoning your devotion to the Lord can have serious consequences. You understand the truth, yet choose not to follow it. Your messages advocate for a life of holiness, but your own actions are marred by sin.
Failing to rectify your ways while alive may result in your disqualification from entering heaven in the afterlife.
Presently, a significant number of individuals are associated with a church, but a relatively small number are actually in Christ, and an even smaller number will be in heaven. The essential factor in becoming a born-again Christian is not the number of years one has been attending a church, but rather the current state of being in Christ.
It is unfortunate that some within the priesthood, including evangelists, pastors, bishops, and even archbishops, are working to build a church but not truly connected to Christ. They seem to prioritize religiosity over genuine spirituality.
As a respected leader among the Jews, Nicodemus conscientiously adhered to religious traditions, believing this to be an act of service to God. Still, it is important to realize that religious devotion, in and of itself, does not guarantee salvation; a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the sole means of attaining it.
What does it mean to experience spiritual rebirth? To be born again is to become a new creation in Christ. This internal transformation ultimately leads to external changes. Spiritual rebirth is imperative.
Always remember this: The glory of God is the catalyst for transforming an individual's life. Whenever you seek God through prayer and worship, you access a measure of God's glory that brings about internal transformation until your life reflects that glory.
