Born Again
Jesus gives the answer to the this question: what does the term born again mean? He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to 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 3:3-7).
The phrase born again literally means created a new or a spiritual transformation. Being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29). Paul explains why we need to be born again, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sinners are spiritually “dead.” But when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, they become alive.
Trusting in Jesus Christ as the One who paid the penalty of our sins is the way to be “born again.” Paul clarifies, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). After faith, comes the decision to follow Christ in repentance. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
A Daily Walk With God
Daily connection to the Lord through the study of the Word, prayer and witnessing transforms the life. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4). As believers yield to the Lord daily, His Spirit does the work of change in them. And they become become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). This is the miracle of transformation.
And God gives the promise of salvation to the believer: “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12-13). To believe on the name of Jesus is to appropriate the provisions of salvation in Christ Jesus. To become a child, of the Most High is to enter into the covenant relationship (Hosea 1:10) by the new birth. God does not arbitrarily make people His sons; He empowers them to become His if they so choose (Philippians 4:13).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
