5 - You must be born again.

You must be born again.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ John 3:3-7

What must I do? How can I obey this command?

This is obviously not something that can be achieved by human effort. This is by the will and power of God. The Holy Spirit is the means and the evidence of this new birth. The life of the Kingdom cannot be lived through the flesh. The indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit is the gift that keeps on giving. We must enter the Kingdom by Him and live the Kingdom life by Him. The fruit of the Spirit and one or more gifts of the Spirit will be evidence of it.

What does it mean to be "born of water"?

Being born of water most likely refers to the natural birth of a human being. Jesus says: "What is born of flesh is flesh..." We are living inside of our mothers before we are transferred into this world through a natural birth process. This existence inside our mother is a life surrounded with water where all our needs are provided through a connection with her via an umbilical cord. When the time for birthing arrives the mothers "water" breaks and is released. Physical birth occurs shortly after.

One other perspective found is that “born of water” refers to spiritual cleansing and that Nicodemus would have naturally understood it that way. According to this view, “born of water” and “born of the Spirit” are different ways of saying the same thing, once metaphorically and once literally. Jesus’ words “born of water and the Spirit” describe different aspects of the same spiritual birth, or of what it means to be “born again.” So, when Jesus told Nicodemus that he must “be born of water,” He was referring to his need for spiritual cleansing. Throughout the Old Testament, water is used figuratively of spiritual cleansing. For example, Ezekiel 36:25 says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities” (see also Numbers 19:17–19; and Psalm 51:2, 7). Nicodemus, a teacher of the law, would surely have been familiar with the concept of physical water representing spiritual purification.

The New Testament, too, uses water as a figure of the new birth. Regeneration is called a “washing” brought about by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God at the moment of salvation (Titus 3:5; cf. Ephesians 5:26; John 13:10). Christians are “washed . . . sanctified . . . justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). The “washing” Paul speaks of here is a spiritual one.

One could also argue that later, New Testament practices, for those who confessed Jesus as their Lord, Savior and King, were immediately baptized in water and filled with the Holy Spirit. Some may contend this is not what Jesus was referring to but then I'm not a scholar and I wasn't there at the time so I don't personally know. Maybe someone else could speak to that more eloquently. Perhaps these are all tied together in the essence of being "born again".

What does it mean to be "born of spirit"?

Jesus indicates that a person must also receive a second birth to be spiritually reborn from above. All the evidence pertaining to John 3:5 shows that the new, second, spiritual birth from above is an absolute necessity for someone to enter the kingdom of God. 

In addition, the evidence clearly shows that this birth from the Holy Spirit is spiritual in nature, in distinction to physical birth, and it is not conditioned on water baptism. Though “water” may be the means of initial, physical birth, the passage shows that it is not the means of spiritual birth. 

There are many passages that talk about spiritual washing and cleansing so we know that Jesus was definitely speaking in reference to a spiritual work and change that must happen for one to enter into the Kingdom of God. In other words, "to be saved". Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3  What we do know is that if Jesus told Nicodemus this was true, then it is true and necessary. It is His command. To know about Jesus is not enough. Many knew about Him and saw what he did. That doesn't mean they all entered into the Kingdom of God. Only those that were "born again' entered in.

So, what about you? Have you been born again? If you don't know, you need to figure it out. Jesus said, only those who are born again will see the kingdom of God. I believe what Jesus said is true. If you want the kingdom of God to be your future then it's a very important issue to settle.

As always, I appreciate any comments or questions you may have. If you would like to be notified of upcoming posts please Subscribe to this blog, Follow by Email or check back at your convenience for updates.

Ref. Curtis Sergeant, The Commands of Christ 
Ref. J.I.Packer, Knowing God, Got Questions -