What Do You Mean Born Again?
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can
see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3 NIV
In the Gospel of John Chapter 3, Jesus said to Nicodemus that no one can enter into the kingdom of God unless he is first “born again.” This concept may be familiar to us today, but Nicodemus was confused. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asked. “He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” (John 3:4).
Nicodemus could not understand the analogy of Jesus. Nicodemus had in mind a physical birth, Jesus, on the other hand, was describing a spiritual reality.
“Born again” is not simply a catch phrase. It is an appropriate description of what happens when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our lives are not just changed when we enter into a relationship with Christ; rather, our old lives are effectively ended and we are completely reborn in the Spirit. The Bible says that we were dead because of our sins then God made us alive when we believed in Jesus (Colossians 2:13). God also gives us a new heart and a new Spirit (Ezek 36:26). We receive more than a makeover or an improved version of ourselves, we are made into a new creation with a brand new beginning!
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)