There is a fantastic old joke, which every schoolkid knows - "when is a door, not a door? Answer: When it's A JAR!"

I know - awful really, and try as I might I can't think of a funny answer to the question "When is a Christian not a Christian?" because it's a hugely serious matter, often overlooked and one which so many get caught out on sadly. I hope in this brief article I might be able to help unlock the simple truths behind this issue.

John 3 verses 4-7 "Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'" (New International Version)

How do you know if you've been born again?

Well, if you're not sure - then you probably haven't! And there's no harm in making sure, that much is certain. Being born again is very simple - and astonishingly life changing. Let's look at what it means first.

In brief, we're all sinners - each and every person is the same before God. While we like to judge each other as better or worse than ourselves, God just sees us all the same - as the children who he loves, but also sinners who have cut themselves off from his love.