In the creation account of Genesis God gave mankind His breath or His life spirit, therefore we are the offspring of God.  You are either a "saved spirit" or an "unsaved spirit".  This is why Jesus used the term "born again" (John 3:3). We must be born again because of being alienated from our Creator through the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve.  We became lost sheep in our thinking and living, the fruit of it is what we are seeing around us in the world today. Dysfunction and corruption abounds.

     Mankind is like sheep without a Shepherd and they will always have a bad end without the Shepherd. Wild animals await the lambs and the sheep. But to those who profess real faith in the Lord Jesus and His finished work on the cross for mankind personally, salvation, or being "born again" as Jesus advocated, is the only way to be rescued, redeemed or saved.  Redeemed from what?

     From sin and all its ramifications, consequences, tribulations and horrors. Paul even says, "Therefore being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]" (2 Corinthians 5:11 Amp Bible).  People need to know how to be delivered from the "wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10).  It may not be too far off now. Paul says it will be plain stupid and foolishness to those "blind leaders of the blind" who are cleverly denying the Lord in their life and hindering others who are seeking Him.

     The question again, "What are we who know we are born again to do?"  Well, one thing is to make sure after we are cleaned up we keep ourselves from the contamination of this lost world's thinking and living.  Are you habitual "buddies" of the world; the unsaved, are they your frequent house visitors, or do you mix with the right company?  We can be good, helpful friends, without being part of the lifestyle of the lost sheep.  God wants no contamination to spoil a Christian's witness. We must truly represent the wonderful Lord Jesus by our words and lifestyle.  If you habitually mix with the wrong kind (those not loving Jesus) it gradually contaminates you. 

      The Lord has to separate you from some people so that He can use you to help others. The Bible depicts numerous times Jesus had to separate Himself from people and also separate people from those seeking help and healing in order that they could be healed. (Mark 5:40).  In Mark 6:5,6 Jesus couldn't do hardly anything in Nazareth because of unbelief.  That is why association is not trivial; it can be a demonic tool and for a time it seemed good advertising for Paul (read Acts 16:16-18) but underlying it was a satanic plan to associate Paul with the works of Satan (fortune telling and soothsaying).

       These are dangerous times to be living in. We are known primarily by the personal company we keep.  "Birds of a feather still flock together", quoted in John's Bunyan's book "The Life and Death of Mr Badman".  We must get out of Sodom and Gomorrah quickly.  Lot was warned because God knew he loved Him. Let our lives and homes be sanctified, set apart for Him and His presence and peace.  There is a terrific high level of stress right now. It is nothing more than fear, anxiety and pressure coming against you in life.  But Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed [stressed]of the devil (Acts 10:38).  Cast all of your cares, anxieties and concerns on the Lord and let His peace rule in your heart and mind.  Then you can pray effectively in faith and receive from the Lord.

     What shall we do?  Come closer to Him, learn of Him, meditate on His Word, love people and watch and pray.  Keep on believing Him in the midst of contrary circumstances which can be major; keep loving Him, and all who love Him too.  Are you prepared for this Scripture?  The Apostle Paul says:  "If anyone does not love the Lord [does not have a friendly affection for Him and is not kindly disposed toward Him], he shall be accursed!  Our Lord will come! (Maranatha!)" (1 Corinthians 16:22 Amp Bible).  Perilous times require strong words!

     Friends, we know life is not some game, it is a true reality, not just make believe but entering a real heaven and avoiding a real hell.  The question is:  Are you one of the prepared and ready ones?  "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness ..." (Psalm 110:3 )