Born Again

Who doesn’t feel a bit excited when someone announces the birth of a baby? After all, it’s a miracle in and of itself. You’re witnessing a tiny person who’s breathing on their own and experiencing life anew for the very first time. The miracle of birth is awesome to behold and be a part of. You should be aware that not all births occur in a hospital, not all births involve a mid-wife, not all births are allowed to become life and not all births involve that first breath of life!

The Bible mentions two births between its covers. The first is a woman that carries a baby for nine months within her womb and gives birth to a child. The second type of birth is first mentioned by Jesus himself. The “Gospel” of John records the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling counsel). Nicodemus represented the aristocratic, well-intentioned but unenlightened Judaism of the day.

Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night to discuss the role Jesus was stepping into. Nicodemus felt that Jesus needed some investigating. Jesus sees that Nicodemus is seeking information earnestly, so he gets straight to the point. “I tell you the truth; no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3 The next few “Bible verses”, Jesus discusses this “New Birth” and poor Nicodemus, with all his intellect and ecclesiastical knowledge, doesn’t grasp it immediately. Hearing it for the very first time, who could? Nicodemus grasps it later.

Being born again means literally, “from above” (see scriptures John 3:31 and John 19:11) It also means “again”. Both ideas—being born from above and being born again were merged in John’s gospel. They are combined in the translation “be born anew”. The new birth or regeneration, (see scripture Titus 3:5) is the act of God that gives eternal life to the one who believes in “Christ”. As a result, he becomes a member of God’s family, (see scripture 1 Peter 1:23) with a new capacity and desire to please his heavenly Father. “Therefore, if anyone is in “Christ”, he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 God gives you a fresh new start. Do you grasp it?

“Christians” who are “born again” become brand-new people on the inside. The “Holy Spirit” transforms us and gives new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reincarnated—we are recreated “born again”, living in a vital union with “Christ”. God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out all our sins and making us righteous.