Simply put, a born again Christian is called to live a Christ-centred life by following the teachings of the Bible, repenting from sin, and maintaining a close personal relationship with God. These “rules” are not restrictive laws but biblical principles that guide believers toward spiritual growth, holiness, and eternal salvation.
1. Accept Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior
The first and most important rule of a born again Christian is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Being born again isn’t about religion or rituals — it begins with a personal relationship with Jesus.
Key Verse — Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
How to Begin Your Journey With Christ
- Pray a heartfelt prayer of surrender — confess your sins and invite Jesus into your heart.
- Get baptized — a powerful public declaration of your faith and new life in Christ.
- Read the Gospels — start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to understand Jesus’ teachings and deepen your faith.
- Join a Bible-believing church — fellowship with other believers who can guide and support your spiritual growth.
2. Live According to God’s Word
A born again Christian follows the Bible as the ultimate guide for faith and life. God’s Word provides timeless principles for morality, relationships, finances, personal choices, and spiritual growth.
Key Verse — 2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
Ways to Apply This Rule
- Set aside time daily for Bible reading — create a consistent habit by dedicating at least 20 minutes every day.
- Apply biblical truths in everyday decisions — align your lifestyle choices with God’s Word.
- Meditate on Scripture — reflect deeply on key verses to strengthen your faith and renew your mind.
- Memorize important Bible passages — keeping God’s Word in your heart helps you resist temptation and stay spiritually strong.
3. Repent and Turn Away From Sin
Being born again means leaving behind your old ways and striving to live a righteous, holy life.
- Key Verse: 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”
Steps Toward True Repentance
- Acknowledge mistakes and seek forgiveness.
- Avoid temptations and sinful environments.
4. Build a Strong Prayer Life
Prayer is your direct connection to God — a way to communicate, build intimacy, and strengthen your faith. For a born again Christian, prayer is more than a ritual; it’s a lifestyle.
- Key Verse — 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.”
How to Strengthen Your Prayer Life
- Begin and end your day with prayer — start the morning by surrendering your plans to God and close the day with reflection and gratitude.
- Include worship, confession, thanksgiving, and requests — follow the ACTS model: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.
- Set aside quiet time daily — remove distractions and create a sacred space where you can pray and listen to God’s voice.
- Keep a prayer journal — write down your prayers, answered requests, and personal reflections to track your spiritual growth.
5. Love God and Love Others
Jesus summarized all the commandments into two simple but powerful rules: love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself.
- Key Verse: Matthew 22:37-39
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Practical Ways to Show Love
- Show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
- Help those in need without expecting anything in return.
6. Live a Holy and Set-Apart Life
Being a born again Christian means choosing to live differently from the world. Holiness isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being dedicated to God and reflecting His character in your daily life. It’s a conscious decision to walk in obedience, stay spiritually pure, and honor God in thoughts, words, and actions.
How to Walk in Holiness
To live a holy and set-apart life, you need to align your choices with God’s Word. Surround yourself with believers who encourage your spiritual growth, and avoid influences that compromise your faith. Guard your heart and mind by focusing on purity, and stay deeply rooted in Scripture so you can discern God’s will and make decisions that reflect His character.
7. Share the Gospel Boldly
One of the most important rules of a born again Christian is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. This responsibility is known as the Great Commission, where believers are called to spread the message of salvation and make disciples.
- Key Verse — Matthew 28:19-20
“Go and make disciples of all nations.”
Start with Your Personal Testimony
Your story can be the most powerful tool in reaching others. Explain how accepting Jesus transformed your life and gave you a new purpose. Authentic, heartfelt testimonies inspire others to seek God’s grace.
Share God’s Word and Love
You don’t have to be a preacher to share the Gospel. Simple actions — like quoting Scripture, offering encouragement, and showing kindness — can reflect God’s love and attract others to Christ.
Practical Ways to Do This:
- Talk openly about your faith when appropriate.
- Share meaningful Bible verses with friends and family.
- Offer to pray for people going through challenges.
8. Forgive Others Freely
One of the key rules of a born again Christian is to forgive others wholeheartedly. Unforgiveness creates a barrier between you and God and robs you of inner peace. By forgiving freely, you reflect the grace and mercy God has shown you through Jesus Christ.
- Key Verse — Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Steps Toward True Forgiveness
- Let go of grudges and resentment — choose peace over anger.
- Pray for those who have wronged you — ask God to bless them and heal your heart.
- Seek reconciliation when possible — rebuild relationships if it’s safe and healthy.
- Remember God’s example — forgive as freely as He forgave you through Christ.
9. Fellowship With Other Believers
Christianity is not meant to be lived in isolation — it thrives in community. Being connected to fellow believers strengthens your faith, provides encouragement, and helps you grow spiritually.
- Key Verse — Hebrews 10:25
“Do not give up meeting together… but encourage one another.”
Why Fellowship Matters
Fellowship helps you stay spiritually strong by surrounding you with people who share the same faith and values. It creates a support system where believers can pray together, study Scripture, and grow as one body in Christ.
How to Build Christian Community
- Attend church regularly — worshipping together builds unity and strengthens your relationship with God.
- Join Bible study groups — discuss Scripture, ask questions, and grow in understanding with others.
- Participate in prayer meetings — praying with fellow believers invites God’s presence and guidance.
- Serve in ministry — volunteering in church activities fosters relationships and spiritual maturity.
10. Trust God in All Areas of Life
As a born again Christian, one of the most important lessons is learning to trust God completely. Life is full of uncertainties, but God calls you to surrender every part of your life — your career, relationships, finances, health, and future — into His hands.
Why Trusting God Changes Everything
When you truly trust God, you experience peace that goes beyond understanding. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own because you know God is in control.
How to Trust God in Daily Life
- Pray before making decisions — invite God’s guidance in every step.
- Believe His plan is greater than yours — even when life doesn’t make sense.
- Practice daily gratitude — focusing on God’s blessings builds faith.
- Release your worries — hand over your fears and burdens to God and rest in His peace.
Daily Habits of a Born Again Christian
| Daily Habit | Purpose | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Morning prayer | Start your day with God | 10 mins |
| Bible study | Grow in God’s Word | 20 mins |
| Worship & gratitude | Build a joyful heart | 5 mins |
| Fellowship | Stay spiritually rooted | Weekly |
| Evangelism | Fullfill the Great Commission | Ongoing |
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FAQ Section
Can a born again Christian still sin?
Yes, even born again Christians can fall into sin, but the difference is that they repent sincerely and strive to live righteously. 1 John 1:9 reminds believers that God is faithful to forgive when they confess and turn away from sin.
Do born again Christians need to follow Old Testament laws?
No, salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by following Old Testament laws. However, many biblical principles from the Old Testament still guide a Christian’s moral and spiritual life.
Is baptism necessary for born again Christians?
Baptism isn’t required for salvation, but it’s an important step of obedience. It symbolizes publicly declaring your faith in Jesus Christ and identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection.
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