a person does indeed need to understand what being born of God is. does the word of God define that at all? in those same scriptures yeah it actually does tell us how we know we have been born of God.
1 john 3:7-10 "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister"
so we know we are born of God how? does it have anything to do with what we do? or again
1 john 2:3-6 'We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[SUP] [/SUP]is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
when peter was in the boat, saw Jesus and Jesus said It is I , come. it was up to peter to take the step. obedience doesn't just happen, it begins with accepting that obedience is Gods will for mankind. Then as that belief is accepted, the step is taken by the person. God is not or never will make us obey, that is not what Grace does. Grace makes a heart clean and new able to follow where the dead men could not submit to God. But the one born again is well able by the spirit of Jesus Christ in us, the hope and provision we need. obedience begins with faith, faith that trusts enough to step in the truth of Gods word. When the church sees that Gods word will work, He is unable to fail in Keeping His word, obedience is natural. the only way we truly see its truth is when we step onto the water because Jesus is calling us to follow Him. That is the exhibition of faith and also feeds faith like nothing else, doing the word proves its self true and increases grace in us to eventually move mountains through that same obedience that came by Grace. its not effortless to follow Jesus, its denying our self and making Him to be Lord.
It is fighting, struggling, running the race for the one who died to give us life. It is training as an athlete, beating our bodies into submission, crucifying our old nature of rebellion against God and His holiness. it is forsaking and fleeing from the evil desires, trusting in His provision that made us new when were in a struggle or falling behind in the race. Christianity, is not effortless. someones salvation is between themselves and God. It should be known that all of His words are true though. the warnings and blessings both are accurate and promised as are all of His words.
God will accept obedience at any point, and when we set our hearts and minds to obey Him, Grace shows up in full force to hold us up. A Christian is set upon "the horse" the moment they put faith in Jesus, its all on the believer to getty up and go, and Grace will shine as strength enough to keep His promises. Grace is all for the purpose of obedience to God, that obedience results in eternal life and every blessing promised. sometimes were waiting for what we are already capable of. a believer in Jesus Christ is already fully capable of following Jesus, its the decision to accept that He is saying obey, do these things. He is and always will be saying do what I'm saying....it is Life. procrastination can sometimes find us climbing off the horse and waiting for a different one that isn't provided By the Lord