You Must Be Born Again!

                                                    

Most people think when Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3 that unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, that being born again is something we can make happen-that Jesus was giving Nicodemus a command.  No. Rather Jesus was making a declaration to Nicodemus; giving him a revelation. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin which was a Jewish Supreme court, and the teacher in Israel (John 3:10). An expert in Mosaic Jurisprudence. He believed he could get to heaven by the deeds of the law, and their oral traditions (Matt 15:3,6).

Being born again obviously presupposes prior birth. In our case natural birth. In John 3:3,7-8 Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born from again (literally being born from above) in order to even see the kingdom of God. We all have had a physical birth which we had nothing to do with. Our spiritual birth is the same way – we have nothing to do with it. In other words, there are no steps to becoming born again. Rather, believing on what Jesus Christ did for our sins proves we have been born anew (I John 5:1a). Being born again is something that God does to and for us. God is the one that has to bring us from spiritual death to spiritual life in order for us to be born again. That is why the analogy of birth is used by Jesus. He is comparing natural birth to spiritual birth to Nicodemus directly, and by extension He is talking to all who reads these powerful words.

Scholars call being born again regeneration. There are several passages that describe regeneration.

“And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1,4-5).

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him having forgiven you all trespasses” (Col 2:13).

“Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable through the living word of God”(I Peter 1:23).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (italics mine), (I Peter 1:3).

All of these verses speak of the new birth believers have in Christ.

None one can cause themselves to be born. A power outside of us has to cause that to occur; that cause is Almighty God The confession of faith proves one has been born again or regenerated – experience new birth.

The latter proves the former has occurred.[1]

Just like Lazarus was brought back to life through the power of Jesus’ words in John 11:43, we too also by the power of God’s word are brought back from spiritual death to experience brand new life in Christ.

The Word of God as Paul said is the power of God unto salvation to anyone who believes (Gal 1:16a).

In the final analysis, being born again is a divine choice that God makes alone. Anyone that God confers this blessing upon most assuredly is saved.[2]

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[1] What I mean is that when a person believes in the completed work of Jesus Christ, it proves they have been

Born again.

[2] Being born again never precludes the person repenting of sin, and trusting in Jesus for their salvation. Repentance and belief is an act of the human will. No one can be saved without these two gifts from God.