Be Born Again
Jesus said, “You must be born again” to go to heaven, so knowing what this means is essential. And fortunately, we have the explanation because a man named Nicodemus asked Jesus how it was possible to be born again.
Nicodemus was a prestigious religious leader, but there was so much that he did not understand. So, he came to Jesus at night, not wanting anyone to see him, especially his peers. And this is because the religious ruling council was opposed to Jesus who, often challenged their views.
“Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply, Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:2-3
Nicodemus must have been stunned at Jesus’ words because of all people; Surely, he would be in heaven. So, would you, too, be shaken up to know that there are good people who won’t be in heaven? Jesus would say to you, “There is no one good, except God alone.” Therefore, no one can go to heaven unless they are born again.
So then, in response, Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and 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 the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘you must be born again.’ John 3:5-7
To Be Born Again is a Spiritual Birth
Jesus told Nicodemus that there must be a spiritual rebirth. So, what was Nicodemus’ response? “How can this be?” Even though Nicodemus knew the Scriptures, He needed Jesus to illuminate him, and so do we. So, before reading further, I pray that God will open your eyes to see spiritually and give you understanding as you read.
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
Nicodemus was astounded to hear that he, a deeply religious person, needed to be cleansed of sin and born of the Spirit. But God says that every human born, Jew and Gentile alike, is born with indwelling sin and must be born from above.
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:21
While on earth, Jesus preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins to the people. And during His public ministry, He also confronted the religious leaders about their sins. But instead of believing in Jesus, they rejected Him and remained spiritually blind. Does this describe you? Then you are in the same position as Nicodemus.
All Have Sinned and Must be Born Again
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. There is no one who does good, not even one. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:10-12, 18
Because of sin, you are spiritually dead. Therefore, to be born again is a supernatural work of God and cannot be done by human effort. And God does the work of salvation when you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
These are remarkable words that describe the mercy and love of God. So, ponder the fact that Jesus died for you when you did not acknowledge God and were sinning against Him.
So, do you agree that you have sinned against Holy God and need to receive His salvation? If so, acknowledge your sins as much as you can and ask God to forgive you. Then, repent of your sins by telling God that you want to turn away from your old life and follow Jesus.
Believe the Gospel and Be Born Again
Believe the gospel: Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and God raised Him from the dead.
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred…1 Corinthians 15:3-6
The Bible teaches that God was satisfied with His Son’s sacrifice for sin, and He raised Jesus from the grave. So, today, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, and He has promised to return.
God’s salvation in Christ is a gift of God that you receive by faith. Therefore, in every generation, those born must choose to accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for their sins or reject Him. And this is because the Bible says that Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Therefore, it is impossible to save yourself. So then, what is your decision?
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Romans 1:12-13
Believe in Jesus Christ as Your Savior and Be Born Again
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ, who willingly left heaven to save us all from our sins. Someone I know expressed God’s mercy and love like this:
“I now understand that Jesus hung on the cross and was shamed, beaten, and broken in my place. Yet, I am the sinner that deserved punishment for my sins. And even though Jesus was perfect and without sin, He willingly traded places with me and paid the penalty for my sins. So, now, Lord Jesus, I receive you as my Savior and Lord, and with your help, I will serve you with my life.
Do these words express the desire of your heart?
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8- 9
Only Those Born Again Have the Holy Spirit
You receive salvation from God when you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior. And when you believe, God gives you the gift of the Holy Spirit to indwell you. Indeed, He is the evidence that you are born again.
If anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:9, 16
So then, look at your life. Are you without the Spirit of God like Nicodemus? And like Nicodemus, do you consider yourself a good person, but you know nothing about relying on God by faith? So, you try hard to please Him by your human effort, but it is never enough.
On the other hand, you may be a person who already knows you are sinful and rebellious against God and need Jesus to save you. But either way, God’s Word says that both religious and non-religious, Jew and the Gentile alike, all need Jesus to save them. And this is because no one can please God apart from believing in Jesus, who is both God and man.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23
Ask God to Save You to Be Born Again
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:8-10
In your heart, sincerely admit that Jesus is Lord, your sovereign ruler, and believe that God raised Him from the dead. And when you do this, you are saved. There must always be a response of belief or unbelief to the Word of God. So, do not put off your decision because you do not know what tomorrow brings.
If needed, use the prayer below as a guide. And know that God hears your prayer when you believe what you say.
Repent and Believe in Jesus
Give me faith, O God, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ whom you sent from heaven to save me from my sins. First, I admit that I have done many wrong things and have sinned against you. So, I ask for your forgiveness now.
Thank you, Father God, that you forgive my sins because Jesus willingly died on the cross for all of them. And then He rose from the dead three days later. And now, I want to receive you, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior and your gift of eternal life. It is in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Did you pray to receive Jesus into your heart? Then your sins are forgiven, and you are born again by the Spirit of God.
Jesus said, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7
Assurance That You are Born Again
You are assured of your salvation because the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus. So, if you sincerely trusted Jesus for your salvation and acknowledged Him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit came into your life. And you are now a born-again Christian. Therefore, your life with Jesus will never end because He promises never to leave you or forsake you.
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13
Welcome to the family of God! I am rejoicing with you. If you have further questions, please contact me.
What it means to be a born-again Christian
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Bible study for “Be Born Again”
First, print “Be Born Again.” And then, look up the following Bible verses to understand further what it means to be born again. To begin, look in the front of your Bible. And there, you will find the location of the Books of the Bible and their page numbers. Note that the bolded part of the verses below is the chapter followed by the verse number. Now, may God give you understanding and bless your study of His Word.
Week 1: Psalms 32:1-5; 5:1-10; 51:1-5; Matthew 1:18-25; 10:32-33; 24:26-51; 28:5-10, 16-20; Mark 1:14-18; Luke 5:31-32; 9:26; 15:7, 10; 13; 18:9-14; John 1:1-5, 10-14; 3:1-21; 5:24; 6:35-40, 63
Week 2: John 10:22-39; 14:6-7; 17:1-5, 16-18; 20:30-31; Acts 2:21-24, 36-38; 4:12; 10:42-43; 13:38-39; 20:21; Romans 1:16-17; 3:10-31; 4:1-8, 18-25, 5:1-11; 6:8, 23; 8:1-2, 8-11; 10:4, 8-13, 24-33; 15:13
Week 3: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; 6:1-2; Ephesians 1:1-14; 2:8-9; Philippians 2:3-11; Colossians 3:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 1 Timothy 1:15-17
Week 4: Hebrews 1:3, 8-9; 4:12-16; 7:24-25; 8:12; 9:22, 27-28; 11:6;13:5-7; 1 Peter 1:3, 23-25; 2:1-3, 21-25; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-6, 15-17, 23, 29; 3:1-10; 4:7-16; 5:1-5, 11-21; Revelation 1:8; 3:20-21; 22:12-13
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I agree with Christ that we must be born again, but need some clarification. Is this something that we do? Is being born again the same thing as being saved or justified?
Doug, I appreciate your question.
In reading “How to be Born Again,” you will see that a decision must be made. All those who have received Jesus Christ are saved and justified, declared “not guilty” by God.
If you are interested in more amplification, read “What you Believe Matters” and “Not Guilty.” Both of these blog posts are on this website. God bless!