"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, NKJV)
A question in the dark
People use the phrase "born again" all the time. Some say it with joy. Some say it with a roll of the eyes. But Jesus wasn't handing out a slogan. He gave an answer to a man who came looking for truth in the middle of the night.
So what does it mean to be born again? Let's let Jesus answer.
Nicodemus comes by night (John 3:1-8)
"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.'" (John 3:1-2, NKJV)
Nicodemus had everything religion could give him. He knew the Scriptures. He was respected. He was a leader. And still he came to Jesus in the dark, because something was missing.
Jesus went straight to the heart of it. Not "try harder." Not "learn more." He said you must be born again. Nicodemus was confused:
"How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John 3:4, NKJV)
Jesus answered:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" (John 3:5-7, NKJV)
Here is the simple truth: our first birth gave us physical life. But spiritually, we are cut off from God. We were born into sin because of the first Adam. God made a way for us to be redeemed by the perfect sacrifice, once and for all: the precious blood of Jesus. The last Adam gave His life on the cross so that we could have a restored relationship with God the Father. No amount of effort can fix that, just like no baby ever gave birth to himself. New life has to come from above. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, through faith in Jesus.
And then Jesus says something beautiful:
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8, NKJV)
You can't see the wind, but you can see what it does. You can't see the moment the Spirit gives new life, but you will see the change it makes.
Stuck in religion?
Nicodemus was a religious man, and he still needed to be born again. Religion is not what Jesus died for on the cross. Maybe you go to church, or to a temple or a mosque, and you're just going through the motions, going because it's what you were born into. Don't settle for that. Bring your honest questions to God. There is so much more to life and to God. He desires to know you as a friend. God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die so we could be brought back to Him. Don't wait to respond to His call. Today is the day of salvation.
Not of blood, not of effort, but of God
John tells us how this new birth happens:
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13, NKJV)
"Not of blood" means this birth doesn't come from natural birth or family line. When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are washed in His blood and given new life. The old person is gone, and Christ lives in us.
Being born again isn't about the family you were raised in, the church you attend, or how good you've tried to be. It's about receiving Jesus. Believing in His name. Trusting that He died for your sins and rose again. When you do, God Himself makes you His child.
Everything becomes new
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)
Being born again isn't turning over a new leaf. It's a new life. New heart. New desires. New identity. The old you doesn't get a makeover. The old you dies, and Christ lives in you. That's why I talk so much about dying to self daily. The new birth happens once. Walking it out happens every day.
As disciples of Christ, we choose to follow Him daily. We make the conscious choice to live for Him and not for our own wants and desires. The Christian life is a life of constant surrender. Too many people think it's a one-and-done commitment. We are born again by receiving all that was bought for us through the cross, and then every day after that we choose to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus.
How it happened for me
I was raised Roman Catholic. That's where I was introduced to religion, but God desires a relationship with every one of us. Before I knew Jesus, I searched. I looked into Buddhism, Mormonism and more. I struggled with drugs and alcohol. I was on a warpath and dropped out of high school at 16. I overdosed twice and was in a coma for a week after one of them. My family put me in a psychiatric hospital. I was empty and kept trying to fill myself with the world, and it only left me emptier and wanting more.
At 18, just before my 19th birthday, I was born again through a man who had just come back from crusades in Brazil. He told me about Jesus, and for the first time it wasn't religion. It was a Person. About a week later, on November 11, 2003, I was baptized in the Pacific Ocean at 11 p.m.
I didn't become perfect that night. But I became new. The wind blew, and I have never been the same.
I have made so many mistakes along the way, but I kept coming back to Jesus. He is faithful to finish the work He has started in every believer. If you've made mistakes and feel like you've fallen from grace, God sees you right where you are and He forgives you. Now forgive yourself, get back up, and follow Him.
What new birth looks like
If you've been born again, you'll start to notice the wind:
A new hunger. You want to know God, read His Word and talk to Him every day. If you miss a day, don't beat yourself up, but keep striving to put Him first every day.
A new hatred of sin. The things that used to feel normal start to grieve you. Separate yourself from the old lifestyle. God desires a holy people, consecrated and set apart for His use.
A new love. You begin to care about people the way Jesus does, especially the one who is still lost. (If you've never asked God who your one is, start there.)
A new family. You belong to Him, and to His people.
I believe God is stirring hearts right now. Many who have only known religion are hungry for something real, and many who have drifted are waking up. Maybe that's you.
Are you born again?
Here's an honest question: not "Do you go to church?" or "Were you raised Christian?" but have you been born again? Have you personally received Jesus?
If you're not sure, you don't have to stay unsure. God's Word says:
"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9, NKJV)
Pray with me
If you want to be born again, you can pray this from your heart right now. These words aren't magic. Pray them in faith, believing in your heart as you speak them with your mouth.
"For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10, NKJV)
Here is how you can reach out to Him:
Lord Jesus, I come to You just as I am. I know I'm a sinner, and I can't save myself. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died on the cross for my sins, and that God raised You from the dead. I turn from my sin, and I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Holy Spirit, give me new life. Today I receive the blood of Jesus that washes me clean and makes me new. Today I'm adopted into God's family, and my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Today I'm confident that I'm saved, and I'm a new creation in Christ. Thank You for leaving the ninety-nine and coming for me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Your next step
If you prayed that from your heart, welcome to the family of God! Heaven is now your home. Mark this day on your calendar, because today all of heaven is celebrating you.
"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10, NKJV)
Please don't walk this alone. Tell someone, find a Bible-believing church, and start reading the Gospel of John.
I'd love to help you take your first steps. Start here: Know Jesus.
If this encouraged you, join the Leave9941 email list at leave9941.com for prayers, declarations and updates on Dying Daily, the book I'm writing to help us die to self and live for Him, one day at a time. And if you were born again today, tell me. I'll pray for you by name.