Jesus himself defined us what it means to be born again. The phrase to be born again in its literal sense means to be born from above. Jesus explained these words when he said that each one of us must be born of the Spirit. Then in the next verse He used the phrase "born from above" (John 3: 6 -7). In other words, Jesus implies that just as you had a physical birth when you entered this world, you must also have a spiritual birth to have a relationship with Him. Therefore, the birth above means that you have initiated a new relationship with Him. God through the Holy Spirit that fills every person who believes in Christ.
The Spirit comes to your life, renews you and transforms you into a new person. In addition, Jesus taught in the same context that this new relationship with God begins when the person decides to believe in Him (John 3:15 -18). The act of believing results in men and women no longer being condemned to death, either spiritual death now or separation from God after physical death. The act of believing changes all that and allows the person to begin to experience not only a true current life but also eternal life after death.
Therefore, being born again means that you have eternal life. You are saved from the wrath to come and your sins are forgiven because you believe in Jesus. A person who is reborn is also called a convert.
Jesus used this expression to be born again when he spoke with Nicodemus, in John 3: 1-20. In this passage Jesus established how important this issue is for all mankind. He told Nicodemus, "you must be born again" (John 3: 7).
It should be noted that Jesus did not consider it optional to be born again. He did not say, "if you think it's necessary" or "if you wish." He said you have to be born again or otherwise you will not be able to enter the Kingdom of God. Therefore this is not an insignificant matter in your life. The question of whether you have been reborn or not is a fundamental point with respect to your eternal destiny.
How does a person conclusively determine that he or she has truly been born again? The certainty of this fact can not be determined based on how the person feels or what a religious organization teaches. There are three things you should ask yourself to determine conclusively if you have been born again. Do you believe what the Bible teaches about Jesus? Does your behavior agree with these truths? Is there fruit in your life that manifests your faith and your life transformed? The Bible clearly exposes several things you must believe about Jesus if you want to have a relationship with Him. In the same way, the Scriptures clearly indicate that you will have to act a certain way if you have true faith in the Word of God because, "the faith without works is sterile "(James 2:20). When you believe and act with faith you will see a very particular fruit that will confirm that your faith is true.
Jesus combined the act of repentance with that of believing when he preached the gospel. He declared: "Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Repentance involves the confession of sins before God and before the people you have offended (1 John 1: 9) (James 5:16). Repentance also requires that you change completely and that you leave all those impious activities that you have been involved in and that you begin to behave in a godly way (Acts 26:20). If a person does not stop the sinful behavior, he is denying his profession of faith. Paul explains that some "profess to know God but with their deeds deny it" (Titus 1:16).
