Born Again
Born all over again? Really? A man named Nicodemus once asked Jesus a question:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:3-5)
Jesus told Nicodemus and tells us here that there are two kinds of births, the physical and the spiritual. This means there are two kinds of life, physical life and spiritual life. A person can experience one form without the other, both together or neither. True Christians have both here and only spiritual life in heaven. Unbelievers have only physical life here and no true life at all in their destination—hell.
We all know the meaning of physical life but just what is spiritual life? It is to have the Holy Spirit present within. This is not possession as in demon possession; it is a presence, a guide, a teacher that gently guides the recipient who decides for himself the extent to which he follows. A godly person is one that follows more closely and more often, the Spirit’s leading.
The presence of the Spirit frees individuals from Satan’s bondage and enables them to “see the kingdom of God.” It brings into being a whole new species, one that has superhuman abilities. They can see what unbelievers cannot see. They truly are, in this physical as well as moral sense, new creatures.[1]
God’s people are given yet another gift, lifelong purpose and meaning. They have something that can fill their lives here and that they will be able to look back to in eternity future. They can serve God and be the agency He employs to change the world. They can teach the nations to obey God’s commandments.[2]
Have you been born again? Perhaps you’d like to be but it’s something only God can do. He is very willing to and will do so for everyone that asks Him with true sincerity of heart. Ask Him today! One day you’ll see it as the best thing you’ve ever done.
[1] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
[2] (Matt. 28:18-20)