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What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?
It is common to hear those who profess faith in Jesus refer to themselves or others as being “born again.” But, more importantly, we can even read of the Scriptures referring to this idea of being born again and a new birth. From a physical perspective, the idea of being born again is absurd. However, it is something that is essential spiritually for your salvation.
1) You must be born again. The Bible speaks of being “born again” in more than one passage. John 3:3-7 records Jesus teaching about the necessity of being born again. In fact, Jesus told Nicodemus that unless one experiences this new birth, he/she will not see the kingdom of God. Then, when Peter wrote to those who had already become Christians and were in a saved spiritual condition, he said they had been born again (1 Peter 1:22-25). Clearly, the Scriptures demonstrate that being born again is necessary to share in God’s kingdom and have eternal life in Heaven!
2) Why you must be born again. This new birth is necessary to entering the kingdom of Heaven because the old person (the one who has already been born physically) has become corrupted by sin! For example, this person has been guilty of many sinful things in pursuit of the desires of the flesh, all of which will keep people out of the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). So, the Scriptures teach the necessity of putting this old person who has been corrupted by sin to death in order that a new person who is created in God’s image can be put on (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:1-17). This is essential because sin has separated you from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23) and will result in you spending eternity in the fires of Hell (Revelation 21:8).
3) Two elements involved in this new birth. When Jesus taught Nicodemus about the new birth (John 3:3-7), Nicodemus did not understand how it was possible for someone to enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time. However, Jesus was not talking about a second physical birth. Instead, He was talking about being born again with a spiritual rebirth! To accomplish this required two elements.
First, this new birth requires water. The only water the Scriptures teach as being involved in being spiritually reborn is the water of baptism, as one is to be baptized (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of his/her sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:20-21). In fact, this baptism is pictured as being the burial that stands between the old person who was corrupted by sin and the new person who is living for Christ (Romans 6:3-4).
Second, this new birth requires the Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in turning us from the old person to the new person. Peter demonstrates that He does this through the gospel’s message He has revealed (1 Peter 1:22-25). So, hearing God’s saving gospel message results in those who desire to be saved believing and obeying what God instructs of them! To be born again, the Spirit has said that one must hear God’s word (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sin (Acts 2:38), confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (1 Peter 3:21). Then, the Spirit requires a continual life of faithfulness to Jesus (Revelation 2:10).
4) The results of this new birth. When an individual is obedient to the word of truth revealed in the New Testament concerning salvation, he/she is born again. Then, two things will happen for those who have been reborn. First, they will live a changed life. They will be focused on living according to ways of God rather than the desires of the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-26; Colossians 3:1-17). Second, they will be given eternal life in Heaven. As long as they remain faithful to Christ and live according to this new spiritual life, they are living with the promise of having an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of Heaven (1 Peter 1:3-9)!
If you want to be part of God’s kingdom and be saved eternally, you must be “born again.” If you want to be born again, you must be born of the water and the Spirit. Then, if you are born again, you will live in a transformed way that is patterned after God’s holiness and be saved eternally in Heaven!