The Meaning of Born Again - Part 781

Nicodemus asked Jesus, "How can I being old enter a second time into my mother's womb and be born?" Jesus responds by stating, "Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:1-21)

This point is critical. In order to enter God’s kingdom, we must first be born again. The difficulty is that the growth of one's human soul is limited to that which was attained before the fall of man in the Garden. As a consequence, we have all fallen short of the glory of God, incapable of escaping out of the box that consists of sin. This is why God created a plan of salvation that would reconcile us to our Creator.

In order for you and I to enter the kingdom of God (which Jesus spoke of in the book of John), we must first be redeemed from the curse of sin. Inasmuch as all men and women were born under the same curse, redemption necessitated that another -- who knew no sin -- should be the means whereby man's redemption could be secured.

Because man had become fallen sons of God in the beginning, it meant that God who loved His creation beyond measure would have to manifest Himself in flesh (as a begotten Son) in order to secure man's redemption. Therefore, as a gift of His abundant love, Almighty God provided to all men an equal opportunity to see and enter into the Kingdom.

This is why Jesus said that we must be born again of water and of Spirit. Imagine Nicodemus asking Jesus the question -- "Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with 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?" (John 3:1-4)

Of course, like Nicodemus, man by himself has no understanding as to how to achieve this new birth. However, after JESUS' death, burial and resurrection, JESUS opened the understanding of His disciples saying that the redemption of mankind had been purchased by the shedding of His Holy Spirit blood availing to man the Kingdom of God.

This is why we are instructed to go and preach among all nations repentance and remission of sin. If men and women repent and are baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection, then as the scriptures state, "I will pour out of my Spirit upon them" and they will become My offspring -- My people -- My nation -- the Israel of God. (Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:15-21)

If God has touched you, then arise and be baptized into JESUS' death, burial and resurrection as the Apostles taught in Acts. Become His redeemed son or daughter, born again of the water and the Spirit. If JESUS on our behalf willingly gave His blood, water and Spirit life as a Son, bequeathing all to us, then the least we could do is seek His righteousness in return.

Jesus continued, telling Nicodemus, "Verily, verily I say unto thee - except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, "Ye must be born again." The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:1-21)

Why? Because God so loved the world! Seek Jesus and all His righteousness today. Stand in the offering plate.