John 3:3  In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." NIV

More and more frequently, it seems, we're hearing the expression "being "born again". This is raising questions, because it suggests that those who are using it are referring to something beyond being "saved". Although those who are using this expression may not all mean the same thing, it often appears that they are referring to an experience. This may have occurred after the time when they were "saved." In any event, we all have relatives and friends whose spiritual condition concerns us. They may claim to be "saved," but the evidence that they have been born again is not reassuring. It could be called, "nominal Christianity."

Richard C. Halverson, who is the retired Chaplain of the US Senate, in his book, "Somehow Inside of Eternity," offers his thoughts on this idea.
Nominal Christianity simply hasn't got what it takes!
It is one big reason for the failure of the Church to be a purifying, redeeming force in America's social structure. Nominal Christianity is nothing more than the veneer of Christian custom and culture passed down generation by generation in increasingly ineffective doses. Getting farther and farther from the source of original power, it deteriorates, becomes progressively thinner, more innocuous. Nominal Christianity is the handing down of the fruits of faith without the root, the form without the substance, the shadow without the reality.
Nominal Christianity is a facade!
Nominal Christianity is like a wild animal that has been domesticated; he's always in danger of reverting. He may appear quite respectable, but remove the restraints and anything can happen. This is characteristic of much that passes for the contemporary Christianity in America. On the surface it seems quite civilized, but reversion is inevitable when custom and tradition no longer inhibit. Much misnamed Christianity is simply man domesticated by Christian tradition. Raw, unregenerate human nature lies close to the surface and, given the right social chemistry, as for example a traffic jam, or a contention, or a Black-White encounter, it explodes in Christ-dishonoring speech and action.
Authentic Christianity is not domestication, it is regeneration. It is not reformation, it is transformation. It is not the result of social or legal pressure, it is the supernatural work of the Spirit of God. It is literally new birth--new life. Nothing less can properly be called Christian!

"You must be born again."  [John 3:7]

Following are his thoughts on the "Gospel of the Kingdom," which we have studied. "According to the Gallup Poll on religious life in America, more than forty million profess to be born again . . . One in five attends a Bible study weekly.
Nevertheless, what seems to be an 'evangelical awakening' in America is having no appreciable effect on morals and ethics.
One explanation for impotence is the separation of the gospel from the kingdom--as if they were two separate and distinct matters. They are referred to as the gospel and the kingdom . . . whereas in the New Testament it is the gospel of the kingdom. In the New Testament they are connected -- inseparable. For many today the gospel is for now -- the kingdom is future -- which makes it possible to believe the gospel and ignore kingdom principles -- enjoy the gospel without obeying the King!
So church people live like citizens of this world -- not citizens of the kingdom.
Many are in the church who have never seen the kingdom.

 Jesus said, '' . . . unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'' [John 3:3]. Many are in the church but are not in the kingdom. Jesus said, '' . . . unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God'' [John 3:5].

 And many are in the church and in the kingdom -- but they treat the kingdom as future in its coming and have no kingdom allegiance now.
In the New Testament the kingdom is both present and future . . . it is here and coming. It came with Christ's first coming -- it will be consummated when he comes again -- when He reenters history in His final triumph! Meanwhile His people are to live in obedience to Him as Lord and King. His reign is to be in the hearts of those who profess Him as Lord. They are to be faithful representatives of His kingdom in the world.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father . . . "  [Matthew 7:21]

For those who are convinced by these words, the natural question seems to me to be, "how do I know if I am born again?" Following is a "sinner's prayer" based on what I have gleaned from the scriptures in answer to this question. I believe that if we confess with sincerity the statements listed, we can know we are born again. We have God's Word for it!

HOW TO KNOW YOU ARE BORN AGAIN -- 
THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM.

In II Timothy 3:16-17, it is written:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works."

Therefore, I believe the Bible is true.

In John 3:3, it is written," Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

"Therefore, I want to be born again. "

In Romans 3:23, it is written, " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

In John 1:8-10, it is written, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." Therefore, I confess that I am a sinner. I have gone my own way and done my own thing, apart from God.

In Acts 4:19, it is written, "Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out . .

"Therefore, God, I repent [turn away from doing my thing, and going my way, to doing Your thing, and going Your way."

Again, in John 1:8-10, it is written, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness." Therefore, I ask You, God, to forgive me, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

In John 3:16, it is written, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Therefore, I believe that Jesus Christ is your only begotten Son.

In John 1:14, it is written, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Therefore, I believe that Jesus came in the flesh.

John 3:16, it is written, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Therefore, I believe that Jesus Christ is your only begotten Son.

In John 1:14, it is written, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Therefore, I believe that Jesus came in the flesh.

"But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

"Therefore, I believe that He died on the cross for my sins

.In Romans 10:9, it is written, "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved [born again]."

Therefore, I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.

In Romans 8:34, it is written, "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved [born again]."

Therefore, I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.

 "It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."

Therefore, I believe that Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, that He now sits at Your right hand, Father, and is making intercession for me.

In Revelation 3:20, it is written, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Now, Lord Jesus, I receive You as my personal Savior, I open the door of my heart and I invite you to enter, to be Lord of my life, and to manifest Yourself to me.

In Matthew 10:32, it is written, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

Therefore, Father, I promise that, with Your help, I will confess Your Son before men. Amen

Have you been born again?
Decide for yourself if being saved is the same as being born again.

1. I have Richard C. Halverson's written permission to copy the above quotes.
2. The Gospel of the Kingdom, by George Eldon Ladd.