{"id":48120,"date":"2022-09-01T09:03:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T06:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48120"},"modified":"2025-05-29T02:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T23:32:08","slug":"knowing-jesus-is-not-the-same-as-having-eternal-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/09\/01\/knowing-jesus-is-not-the-same-as-having-eternal-life\/","title":{"rendered":"KNOWING JESUS IS NOT THE SAME AS HAVING ETERNAL LIFE"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ\u2014the King of kings and Lord of lords! Welcome, dear reader, as we reflect on the Scriptures together.<\/p>\n

We live in the last days, and in this generation, many people claim to know Jesus. They know the story of His life: where He was born, who His earthly parents were, how many disciples He had, where He is now, and that He will one day return. Ask almost anyone today if they know Jesus, and the answer will likely be \u201cYes.\u201d Ask if they believe in Him, and again, many will say \u201cYes.\u201d Only a few people will openly admit that they neither know nor believe in Him.<\/p>\n

This is the reality of our time. But I want to share a vital truth with you today\u2014perhaps to tell you for the first time or to remind you:<\/p>\n

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Merely knowing about Jesus is not the same as receiving eternal life.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Let us examine this truth through the lens of Scripture:<\/p>\n

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John 3:2\u20133 (ESV)<\/strong>
\u201cThis man came to Jesus by night and said to him, \u2018Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.\u2019 Jesus answered him, \u2018Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Nicodemus, a religious leader and Pharisee, came to Jesus at night. He openly acknowledged that Jesus came from God, and even affirmed the miracles He performed. Yet Jesus did not respond with praise or say, \u201cWell done, Nicodemus, for recognizing who I am.\u201d Instead, Jesus gave him a radical and unexpected answer: \u201cYou must be born again.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus was saying that no amount of head knowledge or religious acknowledgment can give a person access to the Kingdom of God. Even sincere belief in Jesus’ divine mission is not enough if it is not accompanied by the new birth<\/strong>\u2014a spiritual transformation.<\/p>\n

In other words:<\/p>\n

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Knowing Jesus with your mind is not the same as being born of Him in your heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Let\u2019s go further.<\/p>\n

\u2753What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?<\/h3>\n

Nicodemus himself asked Jesus the same question:<\/p>\n

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John 3:4\u20135 (ESV)<\/strong>
\u201cNicodemus said to Him, \u2018How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother\u2019s womb and be born?\u2019 Jesus answered, \u2018Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jesus explained that to be born again is to be born of water and the Spirit<\/strong>. This is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one<\/strong>, and it involves two essential elements:<\/p>\n

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\u2705 1. Being Born of Water \u2014 Water Baptism<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To be \u201cborn of water\u201d refers to baptism by immersion<\/strong>\u2014a public act of repentance, identification with Christ\u2019s death and resurrection, and the washing away of sin.<\/p>\n

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Acts 2:38 (NKJV)<\/strong>
\u201cThen Peter said to them, \u2018Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Water baptism is not an optional ritual. It is a direct command from Christ (see Matthew 28:19<\/strong>) and a vital step of obedience following genuine repentance and faith. While baptism in itself does not save us (see Ephesians 2:8\u20139<\/strong>), it is the outward expression of our inward transformation. Through baptism, we publicly declare our allegiance to Christ and our willingness to die to our old life and rise with Him (see Romans 6:3\u20134<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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\u2705 2. Being Born of the Spirit \u2014 Receiving the Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The second part of the new birth is being \u201cborn of the Spirit.\u201d This means receiving the Holy Spirit<\/strong>, who comes to dwell within believers at the moment of true conversion. The Holy Spirit regenerates, seals, empowers, and sanctifies us.<\/p>\n

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Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)<\/strong>
\u201cIn Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Romans 8:9 (ESV)<\/strong>
\u201cAnyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Receiving the Holy Spirit is not merely an emotional experience\u2014it is the mark of true belonging to God. He is our comforter, teacher, and guide (John 14:26), and it is by the Spirit that we are enabled to live the new life God calls us to.<\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udf7c The New Birth Is Just the Beginning<\/h3>\n

When a person is born again\u2014baptized in water and filled with the Spirit\u2014they become a new creation<\/strong> in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). But like a newborn baby, this is only the beginning of the journey. Spiritual growth is essential.<\/p>\n

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1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)<\/strong>
\u201cAs newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Without growing in God\u2019s Word, in prayer, and in fellowship, a new believer can wither spiritually. Just as physical life must be nourished to thrive, spiritual life must be cultivated with intentional discipleship, obedience, and daily walking with Christ.<\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udf81 The Blessings of the New Birth<\/h3>\n

There are countless blessings that come with being born again\u2014peace with God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, victory over sin, and the hope of eternal life. But the greatest blessing of all is this:<\/p>\n

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\u201cUnless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.\u201d<\/strong> \u2014John 3:3<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Being born again is not just about improving your life here and now; it\u2019s about entering the eternal Kingdom of God.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udce3 Have You Been Born Again?<\/h3>\n

If not, what are you waiting for? Now that you know the truth, do not delay. Seek true baptism<\/strong>\u2014by full immersion in water and in the name of Jesus Christ<\/strong>, in accordance with the teaching of the apostles (Acts 2:38). And pray to receive the Holy Spirit<\/strong>, the promise given to all who believe (Luke 11:13, Acts 1:8).<\/p>\n

Let your knowledge of Jesus lead you to a relationship<\/strong> with Him through the new birth.<\/p>\n

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\u201cToday, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.\u201d<\/strong> \u2014Hebrews 3:15<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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May the Lord bless you as you respond to His call. Maranatha\u2014Come, Lord Jesus!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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