Born Again (Part 2 of 2)
The foundational message of Jesus, particularly explored in His conversation with the Jewish leader Nicodemus in John chapter 3, centers on the absolute necessity of spiritual new birth, or regeneration. Jesus forcefully articulated that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”. This concept of being born again is essential for entry into God’s kingdom.
This profound transformation is not optional, but the indispensable sign of entrance into eternal life.
What Does “Born Again” Mean? The Supernatural Reality of Regeneration
The nature of being born again is a supernatural reality—a work that the individual cannot achieve by themselves.
1. The Contrast Between Earthly and Spiritual Birth
The teaching begins by contrasting two forms of existence: human (or earthly) birth, which produces people belonging to the earthly family of humanity, and spiritual birth, which gives rise to spiritual people.
This new birth is defined as a radical change in the nature of an individual. It is a complete change of heart and character that is produced in a person by the Holy Spirit.
2. A Miracle Caused by Almighty God
Becoming a Christian is described as always and in every case a miracle because God is the cause of the change. It is God who does the work.
The power utilized in this regeneration is the same power by which God will recreate the entire universe. Therefore, being born again, in New Testament theology, is our participation in the inauguration of that great final cosmic renewal. What God does cosmically, He does personally in the individual.
3. What Regeneration Is Not
Jesus clarifies that spiritual birth is not achieved through human effort or external religious activities:
- It is not external renovation.
- It is not cleaning your act up.
- It is not illumination (being attracted or intrigued).
- It is certainly not baptismal regeneration, which is described as a “dangerous position” in which to take security, as if an inferior being’s activities could make one right before God.
The Mysterious and Experiential Effects of the New Birth
While the new birth is miraculous and mysterious, its effects are experiential. Jesus compares the process to the wind: “The wind blows where it wishes… You don’t know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit”. Although we cannot grasp the wind, we see its effects.
The experiential impact of regeneration is evident in three major areas of an individual’s life:
1. A New Family
Upon being born again, an individual receives a new family. God gives them the right to become the children of God, meaning they are adopted into His family and become a child of the King in Jesus. This eternal connection means believers are “stuck” together eternally, even if churches can sometimes be “weird places”.
The change in family dynamic is dramatically illustrated by Saul of Tarsus (later Paul), who was born again. His new family became the very company he had previously sought to imprison and destroy.
2. A New Identity
Regeneration results in a new identity. This identity is received, not achieved. The identity is confirmed through belief, as emphasized in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life”. Believers must place their name into this promise.
3. A New Mentality
When a person’s nature is renewed by the Spirit of God, it inevitably changes their mentality. This shift affects their view of the world, their place within it, and their understanding of significance.
Paul’s words illustrate this change: previous achievements (being a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee, having good intellect and background) are now counted in an “entirely different way” because of Jesus.
The indispensable sign of regeneration is often identified as a humble, contrite spirit (self-abasement), recognizing oneself as “wretched by nature”. God’s love is not set upon individuals because of their achievements or merits.
The ultimate result is a profound realization, summarized by the formerly blind man in John 9: “Once I was blind but now I can see”.
Faith and the Sovereign Work of God: The Entrance into the Kingdom
Nicodemus’s initial reaction to Jesus’ teaching was, “How can these things be?”. Jesus responded by questioning how Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, did not understand these entry-level concepts.
The failure of Nicodemus was not a failure of intellect, but an unwillingness to believe Jesus’ testimony.
The Response Required: Looking and Believing
The new birth is not something we do; it is something God gives. Jesus is not demanding that Nicodemus experience the new birth in the instant, but rather forcefully articulating what must be experienced to enter the kingdom of God.
- If asked, “How can I be born again?” the technical answer is “there is nothing you can do”.
- If asked, “What must I do to be saved?” the answer is “to believe”.
The initiative taken by God (sovereign, operative, irresistible regeneration) and the necessary human response of faith are inextricably woven together. Without God’s sovereign grace turning enmity to love and disbelief to faith, a person would never yield the response of faith and love.
Jesus used the Old Testament example of Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21) to illustrate the nature of belief. Those bitten by snakes were told to look to the serpent to be free. Similarly, “The true looking of faith is placing Christ before one’s eyes and beholding in him the heart of God poured out in love”.