Jesus said, “You must be born again.” But if you’re already trying to be a good person, what does that mean—and why isn’t better behavior enough?

In this episode, Ted Ross explains what Jesus meant when He told Nicodemus that we need new spiritual life from God. Using John 3, Ephesians 2, Mark 1, Romans 10, and 1 Peter 1, the teaching shows how someone can be physically alive while still spiritually separated from God, why new birth is something only God can give, and how repentance and faith in Jesus connect to being born again.

You’ll also see why being born again doesn’t mean every thought, feeling, habit, or struggle disappears overnight. New birth is the beginning of transformation, not the completion of every change God wants to make in you.

• Why being a “good person” isn’t the same as being born again
• What Jesus meant by being born from above
• Why Scripture describes people as spiritually dead before being made alive
• How repentance and believing the gospel connect to new birth
• What actually changes when God gives you new spiritual life

Listen to the full episode to understand what Jesus meant by “You must be born again” and why receiving life from God changes the foundation of your relationship with Him.

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Simple Truth—Simple. Biblical. Essential.

Have you ever known God wanted you to change something, but you kept putting it off? Or maybe you did turn back to Him, but the old habit or behavior didn’t disappear right away—and you started wondering, “Did I really repent if I’m still struggling to change?”

In this episode, Ted Ross explains what real biblical repentance looks like after the initial decision to turn toward God. Romans 2 shows why God’s patience should never be mistaken for approval, while 2 Corinthians 7 helps separate godly sorrow from simply feeling guilty or ashamed. You’ll also see why struggling to change is different from refusing to change—and why genuine repentance should begin producing a different response.

Then the teaching gets practical. Repentance starts in the heart, but over time it should affect your choices, habits, relationships, and direction.

In this episode, host Ted Ross explores critical aspects of repentance in the daily life of a Christian.

• Why God’s patience gives you time to repent, not permission to stay the same.
• How to tell whether sorrow is actually leading you toward change.
• Why real repentance begins to show up in what you do next.
• Why struggling with an old pattern does not automatically mean your repentance was false.
• How to make the old way harder and the new way easier while asking God for help.

Listen to the full episode to see how Scripture connects repentance with a changed heart, a changed response, and a life that begins moving in a new direction toward God.

🌐 Learn more & access free resources: https://SimpleTruth.org
📺 Subscribe for weekly audio episodes
▶️ Watch the full episode on video: Simple Truth YouTube
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⭐ Enjoyed this episode? Please review or share it with a friend.

Simple Truth—Simple. Biblical. Essential.

Have you ever been genuinely sorry, asked God to forgive you, and then found yourself pulled toward the same habit or attitude again? It can leave you asking, Did I really repent—or did I just feel bad?

Ted Ross explains what biblical repentance actually means and why Scripture places repentance at the foundation of following Jesus. Through Hebrews 6, Mark 1, Luke 24, Acts 20, and other passages, you’ll see why repentance and faith belong together: repentance changes your direction toward God, and faith trusts Him with what comes next. You’ll also see why genuine repentance does not mean becoming perfect overnight.

• Why following Jesus begins with repentance and faith, not simply agreeing that the gospel is true.
• How guilt, shame, regret, apologies, and emotional promises can happen without a real change of direction.
• What repentance from dead works means and why self-directed living cannot produce spiritual life.
• Why old habits or struggles can remain even after you have genuinely turned toward God.
• How trusting God begins to shape your choices, obedience, and next steps.

Listen to the full teaching and consider one area where you already know God is right. What would it look like to stop defending your old way, turn toward Him, and take one faithful step in His direction?

🌐 Learn more & access free resources: https://SimpleTruth.org
📺 Subscribe for weekly audio episodes
▶️ Watch the full episode on video: Simple Truth YouTube
📱 Follow on Instagram: @SimpleTruth.Podcast

⭐ Enjoyed this episode? Please review or share it with a friend.

Simple Truth—Simple. Biblical. Essential.