09/10/2023
Why Does the Bible Say Christians Are "Born Again"?
âJesus replied, âVery truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born againââ (John 3:3).
"You must be born again." Christians are often called âborn againâ when they have made the decision to let Jesus be their Lord. But this idea can seem rather strange, because we think of being born as a physical event. But Jesus was actually referring to the faith life of a believer.
In John 3, we see a man who wasnât afraid to voice his confusion about the phrase. And Jesus responded with a teaching that explained the meaning and importance of this step, as well as the future for those who are willing to take it.
What Does 'You Must Be Born Again' Mean?
Though it is impossible for someone to be physically reborn, anyone can seek a spiritual rebirth. When we invite Jesus into our life, we begin a new way of living, and experience a realignment of our values, attitudes and even goals.
In using this term, the Lord illustrated the scope of change that can happen within a person. He was also declaring the power and grace of God to create such a transformation.
When Does Jesus Say 'You Must Be Born Again'?
The beginning of John 3 describes how a member of the Jewish elite, named Nicodemus, sought to meet with Jesus. A Pharisee, he came to the Lord in a rather secretive way, perhaps fearing the disapproval of his peers.
âNow there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at nightâŚâ (John 3:1-2).
Nicodemus seemed to recognize and acknowledge the authority of Jesus, saying, âRabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with himâ (John 3:2).
Jesus replied in verse 3 that anyone who wants to truly honor God must take a bold step â to be reborn. Nicodemus, puzzled by this instruction, wanted to know more.
ââHow can someone be born when they are old?â Nicodemus asked. âSurely they cannot enter a second time into their motherâs womb to be born!ââ (John 3:4).
As He answered this question, Jesus gave a fuller explanation of what it means to be reborn.
ââVery truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, âYou must be born againââ (John 3:5-7).
He added that this process is a work of God, so we wonât fully understand it. As Nicodemus again expressed confusion, Jesus gave a rebuke about how those who are religious leaders werenât grasping spiritual matters (John 3:9-12). Then, the Lord allowed Nicodemus a glimpse of the sacrifice He would make for mankindâs salvation.
âJust as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of Godâs one and only Sonâ (John 3:14-18).
Jesus finished the teaching by reminding Nicodemus that those who choose to be reborn and follow God will âcome into the light,â able to live righteously while looking forward to their eternal reward (John 3:19-21).
How Do We Know if We Are Born Again?
Many see being reborn and being saved as very closely related. Being saved means escaping Godâs wrath because we have professed our faith in Jesus. At that moment, we are also reborn spiritually. Both phrases refer to our new state as children of God. They hint at the lifelong journey weâve started of becoming more like Christ as well.
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel mentioned them in a beautiful passage of hope God offered the Israelites.
ââFor I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleannessââ (Ezekiel 36:24-28).
Becoming a born-again believer is a huge, and also intensely personal, decision to make. And because the first work God does is internal, it may take time for any outward changes to appear. But each of us goes through a similar journey to get there that includes:
Accepting that we cannot make ourselves right and realizing our need for God
Admitting that we are sinners and asking for Godâs forgiveness
Stating our faith in Jesus and what He did for us, and vowing to follow Him
If we have sincerely sought to become right with God and have received Jesus as our Savior, we can rest in knowing we have been born again. As the Apostle Paul wrote,
âIf you declare with your mouth, âJesus is Lord,â and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be savedâ (Romans 10:9).
What Are the Traits of a Person Who Has Been Born Again?
When a person agrees to become reborn in the spirit, it results in some wonderful blessings right away.
A new status as a child of God.
âYet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God â children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbandâs will, but born of Godâ (John 1:12-13).
A new strength to stand against sin.
âNo one who is born of God will continue to sin, because Godâs seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of Godâ (1 John 3:9).
A new sense of purpose in life.
â...just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new lifeâ (Romans 6:4).
A new anticipation about the future.
âPraise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for youâŚâ (1 Peter 1:3-4).
Over time, God will bring out qualities that will equip that person to show His love to others and build His Kingdom. A well-known passage from the book of Galatians gives an impressive list of those kinds of traits:
âBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-controlâ (Galatians 5:22-23).
"You must be born again." Jesusâ message to the Pharisee Nicodemus applies to every believer: if we truly desire to follow God, we must let Him radically renew our spirits. The pastor and author John F. Walvoord puts it simply and positively: âAs is true of man who is born naturally and receives a human nature from his parents, so man born anew receives a new nature, a new capacity for service and devotion to God.â
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