22010.075 Born Again

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he?’
“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, “You must all be born from above.” The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” —John 3:3–8

Confused by Jesus’ words, Nicodemus shows the weakness of his knowledge. What Jesus was speaking of spiritually, Nicodemus understood only in a fleshly manner. Jesus responded with,

“I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Jesus reiterates to Nicodemus the necessity of rebirth for one to enter the kingdom of God. To be born again is to be born from above, not through our own wisdom or power. 

King David tells us we are born sinners:

“Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me. Look, you desire integrity in the inner man; you want me to possess wisdom. Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be pure; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” —Psalm 51:5–7

Considering the holiness of God and the depravity of humanity we must not think the necessity of the demand strange—rebirth is paramount. It is an indispensable necessity.

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!” —2 Corinthians 5:17

“For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.” —Titus 3:3–7

Become More

Jesus holds out to all of us the right to become a child of the King. Have you ever wanted to be a princess? Ever wanted to be a prince? Now is your chance! It is not just enough for us to behold and admire Jesus’ miracles or to give verbal assent to His mission, we must experience a change within us which, as He says, is the equivalent to a new birth. Birth is the beginning of a new life—to be born again is to begin anew. And to be born from above is to begin anew through the power of the Holy Spirit who equips us live this new life.

Otherwise, we would begin anew in our own flesh—striving against the wind—only to fail again. Flesh brings forth flesh, but the Spirit, hallelujah, brings forth the spirit.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.” —1 Peter 1:3-6

Further Reflections

“Scripture does not simply say, Christ is born, but to you He is born. Christ must above all things become our own and we become His. See to it that you make this birth your own and that Christ be born in you.” —Martin Luther

“The corrupt nature, which is flesh, takes rise from our first birth; and therefore the new nature, which is spirit, must take rise from a second birth. Corruption and sin are woven into our nature; we are shaped in iniquity. It is not enough to put on a new coat or a new face, but we must put on the new man.” —Matthew Henry

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