John 3:3 (NLT) Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are "born again", you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
The Bible Study group that I lead is studying the Gospel of John. In one of our recent sessions we talked about the meeting that Jesus had with Nicodemus. The first thing that Jesus said after Nic’s compliments is what is recorded in the verse that starts this post “I tell you the truth, unless you are "born again", you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
We Christians often use this scripture when we are talking to people about salvation. When we want to know if someone is a Christian we often ask them if they have been "born again”. But do we really know what Jesus meant when He told Nick that he couldn’t become a citizen of heaven unless he was “"born again"”?
If you asked most Christians what the term means they wouldn’t be able to give a clear explanation. But the fact that Jesus said that nobody can see the kingdom of God without being "born again” makes it imperative that we understand what it means and how it happens. It’s obvious that a person can’t be "born again" physically so what does it mean?
John 3:4 (NLT)4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be "born again"?”
Jesus was saying that a person needs two births. The first is the natural birth of the body. This happens by means of one’s parents. Flesh can only reproduce itself as flesh, and this cannot pass muster with God.
Romans 8:8 (NLT)8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
The second birth is a spiritual birth, or a spiritual transformation. The Spirit produces spirit, a life born, nurtured, and matured by the Spirit of God. Only the Holy Spirit can make this happen and God makes it happen because of His grace. The new birth is a gift from God because He loves us. We can’t earn it.
Titus 3:4-5 (NLT)4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
The phrase ""born again"" literally means "born from above." It, is an act of God and when it happens a person becomes a child of God.
John 1:12-13 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Sin is what keeps us from becoming children of God. The Bible tells us that we are dead in our sins. When we are in sin we are spiritually dead. Only those who are "born again" have their sins forgiven and become children of God. When you are "born again", you experience a spiritual transformation, a total change of heart. If you’re dead then you have no life… birth is life.
Ephesians 2:1 (NLT)1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.
Romans 3:23 (NLT)23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
How Does This New Birth Happen?
To be "born again" is to be saved! That can only happen by trusting in Jesus who paid the penalty for sin. To be "born again" is to accept the plan of salvation through Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and who was resurrected as evidence that God the Father had accepted His sacrifice on our behalf. When we are “"born again" we accept Jesus into our personal lives, burying our old lives of flesh and experiencing the gift of a spiritual rebirth.
John 14:6-7 (NLT)6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NLT)1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
We often receive gifts from our friends and family to meet a need that they see. For example your spouse or friend sees that you need something and without your asking goes out busy it and gives it to you. I have a special friend that needed a watch so on her birthday I gave her a watch. God knows that sinners need to become sin free in order to have a relationship with Him so He gives them the gift of salvation. But to receive that gift we have to agree that we need it. The Holy Spirit will show us that we are full of sin and need God’s forgiveness and grace.
Luke 13:1-3 (NLT)1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
Repentance means to change our mind, to turn. We must change our mind about our condition and our direction, which is away from God, and turn to Him. We turn to Him through Jesus Christ.
John 1:12-13 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
To receive Christ we have to first acknowledge our need to repent and simply turn to Him by faith and put our trust in Him.
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
The Bible Study group that I lead is studying the Gospel of John. In one of our recent sessions we talked about the meeting that Jesus had with Nicodemus. The first thing that Jesus said after Nic’s compliments is what is recorded in the verse that starts this post “I tell you the truth, unless you are "born again", you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
We Christians often use this scripture when we are talking to people about salvation. When we want to know if someone is a Christian we often ask them if they have been "born again”. But do we really know what Jesus meant when He told Nick that he couldn’t become a citizen of heaven unless he was “"born again"”?
If you asked most Christians what the term means they wouldn’t be able to give a clear explanation. But the fact that Jesus said that nobody can see the kingdom of God without being "born again” makes it imperative that we understand what it means and how it happens. It’s obvious that a person can’t be "born again" physically so what does it mean?
John 3:4 (NLT)4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be "born again"?”
Jesus was saying that a person needs two births. The first is the natural birth of the body. This happens by means of one’s parents. Flesh can only reproduce itself as flesh, and this cannot pass muster with God.
Romans 8:8 (NLT)8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
The second birth is a spiritual birth, or a spiritual transformation. The Spirit produces spirit, a life born, nurtured, and matured by the Spirit of God. Only the Holy Spirit can make this happen and God makes it happen because of His grace. The new birth is a gift from God because He loves us. We can’t earn it.
Titus 3:4-5 (NLT)4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
The phrase ""born again"" literally means "born from above." It, is an act of God and when it happens a person becomes a child of God.
John 1:12-13 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Sin is what keeps us from becoming children of God. The Bible tells us that we are dead in our sins. When we are in sin we are spiritually dead. Only those who are "born again" have their sins forgiven and become children of God. When you are "born again", you experience a spiritual transformation, a total change of heart. If you’re dead then you have no life… birth is life.
Ephesians 2:1 (NLT)1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.
Romans 3:23 (NLT)23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
How Does This New Birth Happen?
To be "born again" is to be saved! That can only happen by trusting in Jesus who paid the penalty for sin. To be "born again" is to accept the plan of salvation through Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and who was resurrected as evidence that God the Father had accepted His sacrifice on our behalf. When we are “"born again" we accept Jesus into our personal lives, burying our old lives of flesh and experiencing the gift of a spiritual rebirth.
John 14:6-7 (NLT)6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NLT)1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
We often receive gifts from our friends and family to meet a need that they see. For example your spouse or friend sees that you need something and without your asking goes out busy it and gives it to you. I have a special friend that needed a watch so on her birthday I gave her a watch. God knows that sinners need to become sin free in order to have a relationship with Him so He gives them the gift of salvation. But to receive that gift we have to agree that we need it. The Holy Spirit will show us that we are full of sin and need God’s forgiveness and grace.
Luke 13:1-3 (NLT)1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
Repentance means to change our mind, to turn. We must change our mind about our condition and our direction, which is away from God, and turn to Him. We turn to Him through Jesus Christ.
John 1:12-13 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
To receive Christ we have to first acknowledge our need to repent and simply turn to Him by faith and put our trust in Him.
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
What Happens When You Are "Born Again"?
Remember the “new birth” is spiritual. When you are "born again" you become a new creation Much like when a baby is born he/she is a new being, so you become brand new. The old spiritual you is gone.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (NLT)16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Being a new creation in Christ means that you constantly being renewed. The old sinful person you once were has gone as a result of the finished work of Christ. You were instantly "born again", saved, and justified. Not made perfect, but being constantly renewed and sanctified so that you will be conformed to the image of Jesus, become like Jesus, which is God’s purpose for you.
Romans 8:28-30 (NLT)28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
This new creation is something done by God.
John 1:12-13 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
This tells us that this new birth or creation was brought about by the will of God. We did not inherit the new nature, we didn't re-create ourselves. God didn't just clean up our old nature either; He created something entirely fresh and unique. The new creation is completely new, created from nothing, just as the whole universe was created by God from nothing. Only God could do that.
With this new creation,“old things have passed away.” The “old” refers to everything that is part of our old nature—pride, love of sin, reliance on works, and our former opinions, habits and passions. Most significantly, what we loved has passed away, especially the supreme love of self and with it self-righteousness, self-promotion, and self-justification. The new creature looks outwardly toward Christ instead of inwardly toward self. The old things died, nailed to the cross with our sin nature.
This new creation is constantly being renewed or constantly "changing into something new and different, something better." That’s really what renewal in Christ means. We were remade into something better. For some of us, it may have been quite a struggle to remove the old sinful self and totally renovate our lives. It may continue to be a struggle, but know this: if you stay steadfast in your relationship with God, He will continually work in your life to renew you and get rid of the of the sin that may constantly tempt you.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Since we are new creatures and have been renewed there are some things that we should put behind us or stop.
Colossians 3:1-9 (NLT)1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed are things that are attitudes and actions of the “old nature”. Anger, wrath, malice, slander and filthy language and lies are things that come from our mouths.
We are told to stop or put off these things in our renewal because as a new creation we now have the help of the Holy Spirit which gives us the ability to stop these things. If we put something off ,like taking off our clothes, then we need to put something else on.
Colossians 3:10-17 (NLT)10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, acceptance of each other and forgiving each other, are all attributes of Jesus in whose image we are being transformed in our renewal. All these attributes add up to love.
Do You Want To Be "Born Again"
If you are struggling with life doing things that you know are wrong and want to change but can’t; if you know there is something better than looking for satisfaction and never finding it; if you wonder about what happens after you die; if you want real peace; the answer is in Jesus Christ and to find and get those answers you must be “"born again"”. All you need to do is this;
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be "born again", here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody. Leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.
Remember the “new birth” is spiritual. When you are "born again" you become a new creation Much like when a baby is born he/she is a new being, so you become brand new. The old spiritual you is gone.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (NLT)16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Being a new creation in Christ means that you constantly being renewed. The old sinful person you once were has gone as a result of the finished work of Christ. You were instantly "born again", saved, and justified. Not made perfect, but being constantly renewed and sanctified so that you will be conformed to the image of Jesus, become like Jesus, which is God’s purpose for you.
Romans 8:28-30 (NLT)28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
This new creation is something done by God.
John 1:12-13 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
This tells us that this new birth or creation was brought about by the will of God. We did not inherit the new nature, we didn't re-create ourselves. God didn't just clean up our old nature either; He created something entirely fresh and unique. The new creation is completely new, created from nothing, just as the whole universe was created by God from nothing. Only God could do that.
With this new creation,“old things have passed away.” The “old” refers to everything that is part of our old nature—pride, love of sin, reliance on works, and our former opinions, habits and passions. Most significantly, what we loved has passed away, especially the supreme love of self and with it self-righteousness, self-promotion, and self-justification. The new creature looks outwardly toward Christ instead of inwardly toward self. The old things died, nailed to the cross with our sin nature.
This new creation is constantly being renewed or constantly "changing into something new and different, something better." That’s really what renewal in Christ means. We were remade into something better. For some of us, it may have been quite a struggle to remove the old sinful self and totally renovate our lives. It may continue to be a struggle, but know this: if you stay steadfast in your relationship with God, He will continually work in your life to renew you and get rid of the of the sin that may constantly tempt you.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Since we are new creatures and have been renewed there are some things that we should put behind us or stop.
Colossians 3:1-9 (NLT)1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed are things that are attitudes and actions of the “old nature”. Anger, wrath, malice, slander and filthy language and lies are things that come from our mouths.
We are told to stop or put off these things in our renewal because as a new creation we now have the help of the Holy Spirit which gives us the ability to stop these things. If we put something off ,like taking off our clothes, then we need to put something else on.
Colossians 3:10-17 (NLT)10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, acceptance of each other and forgiving each other, are all attributes of Jesus in whose image we are being transformed in our renewal. All these attributes add up to love.
Do You Want To Be "Born Again"
If you are struggling with life doing things that you know are wrong and want to change but can’t; if you know there is something better than looking for satisfaction and never finding it; if you wonder about what happens after you die; if you want real peace; the answer is in Jesus Christ and to find and get those answers you must be “"born again"”. All you need to do is this;
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be "born again", here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody. Leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.
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