Humans are imperfect, selfish, uncontrolled, and sinful from birth. They can not be managed by human philosophy or intelligence. If this is wrong, we might not see death, war, scarcity of sources, or pandemic on Earth. However, we need something new or a second birth to become a new creature, according to the teaching of Jesus and New Testament disciples. I had become a born-again Christian almost six years ago.
Now I understand the clear difference between my old life and my new life. But it was not an easy process.
When I took the first step toward salvation to be baptized eight years ago, I did not get the new birth or born-again experience immediately. One must strive to enter into the straight or narrow gate to be born or enter into the kingdom of God. So my striving period was almost two years and in that period the devil, which is a very clear enemy of humankind according to the scriptures, tempted me. “Lest Satan should get advantage from us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11
I believe that sorrow and hurt are very important for humans. They must remember something deeply to learn from it. When I was ready for baptism, I was struggling in my relationships with my wife, parents, and other family members. During those 18 months, I lost my father and big brother but I am glad I got a new birth and a born-again Godly wife.
You might be asking if the sorrow was because of the born-again experience. Do you remember When Jesus was baptized, the spirit of the Lord took Him into the wilderness for 40 days, and Satan tested Him.
So tests are a must. We can not avoid striving for salvation to become born-again. Sometimes, believers get a born-again experience earlier, but steps can not be overlooked or skipped in the journey Jesus has set for us. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews12:12
Your striving period could be longer or shorter because born-again or new birth is not in the hands of believers. It is entirely the desire of our Father in Heaven, He uses the Holy Spirit and Word of God to give new birth to believers who accept Lord Jesus as the Lord and Savior of their life. Jesus said according to the Gospel of John about the new birth: “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God.” John 3: 1-3
