John 3:3-5 (KJV)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
For many Christians, the born again experience is an instantaneous occurrence that has no timeline, but a thorough study of the Word shows a different picture.
Six major things happened at the new birth;
Cleansing (washing) - John 15:3, Titus 3:3-5, Ephesians 5:25-27
Regeneration by the Holy Spirit - Titus 3:3-5, Ezekiel 36:26-27
Remission of sins (Repeal, cancellation or the setting aside of our sins) – cutting away our sinful nature, spiritual circumcision performed by the Word – Colossians 2:9-17, Matthew 26:28 (KJV)
Redemption – Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14
Sanctification (Entire washing, complete removal of sin and its debt or penalty) – 1 Corinthians 6:11
Justification (Declared righteous, acquitted, free of all charges) – Romans 3:24-25, Romans 4:25, Romans 5:1-2
You are encouraged to study the scriptures above and build your own understanding about the salvation you received from God. Your findings will give you a new mindset of freedom to worship God. You will come to the complete realisation that you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You can now come before God, without a sense of guilt, inferiority or condemnation.
Further Reading
John 15:3
Revelation 1:5
Daniel 3:25
Isaiah 4:4
Romans 5:17
Proverbs 30:12
1 Peter 1:23
James 1:18
John 1:11-13