Being Born Again

In John 3:1-21, Jesus talks to Nicodemus a prominent Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jewish people). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions he had.

As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Nicodemus asked ‘how can a man be born again when he is old?’ Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit give birth to Spirit,

The phrase “born again” can be translated as “born from above.” Nicodemus had a real need. He needed to change his heart – he needed a spiritual transformation that could only come from above.

Being born again carries the idea of becoming “children of God” through trusting in the name of Jesus.

I think Paul says it best in Ephesians 2:1-5

“You were made alive when you were dead in transmissions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience, among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and we’re by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loves us, even when we were dead through of trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah (by grace you have been saved.”

Sinners are spiritually ‘dead’ when they receive spiritual life through faith in Jesus, the Bible says it is rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.

As I was thinking about my next post to put here. This came to my mind. I heard God say,

“Being born again is the Holy Spirit coming to live on the inside of you. God opens up a steady flow of the water of truth that keeps pouring into your spirit”