Of all the phrases from the Bible, no phrase has been misused and misunderstood in our time as the phrase, “born again.” It has been used in politics to describe a candidate that has been given “new life” politically. It has been used to speak of an athlete’s career, recovered from seeming certain failure. It has been used to describe all sorts of things that have nothing to do with its Biblical usage.
But worse that this, it has come to mean a group of people who have professed a faith that has had little or no impact on their lives. We hear about the “born again vote” which includes a great number who have evangelical and conservative persuasions but know little or nothing about saving faith. Indeed, Gallop polls have revealed the sad state of the “born again” community. While as many as 70% claim to be “born again,” far less than 50% of these even regularly attend church. When their lifestyles are examined, they look little different than any moral non-believer. In fact, some moral non-believers live better lifestyles than many “born again” believers!
What are we to think about all this. First, an examination of John 3 indicates that many who call themselves “born again” do not fit the description that Jesus gives in John 3. Second, an inadequate view of the work of the Spirit in salvation has led many to think that they are “born again” when they are not.
Let’s examine a few of these considerations. First, notice that religious experience or orthodox belief do not qualify anyone for heaven. When Nicodemus approaches Jesus, he is stunned by Jesus’ initial statement. To a man who was very religious and well schooled in “the truth,” Jesus unashamedly proclaims: “Unless you are born again, you cannot even see the kingdom of heaven.”
Quite often religious people will agree that drug addicts and prostitutes need to be “born again” because they need a new start in life. But here Jesus makes it clear that every man, woman and child, even the most religious, needs more than their own efforts to gain heaven. They must be “born again.” All their good deeds and religious activities will never be sufficient to gain them heaven.
This is made even more clear by the language Jesus uses. He notes: “Ye must be born again.” This experience is not optional. Anything less is not sufficient. That was Jesus’ word to Nicodemus; it is His word to all of us today: “Ye must be born again.”
Why is this so necessary? Can’t one “clean up his act”? Can’t we resolve to do better in the future? Surely all the good we do now must count for something. Such confusion is not unique. Nicodemus faced the same confusion. Jesus explained why this new birth was so essential: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Jesus is reminding us that sinful nature can only produce sinful nature. J.C. Ryle wrote:
There is no self-curative power in man. He will always go on reproducing himself. To become spiritual and fit for communion with God, nothing less is required than the entrance of the spirit of God into our hearts. In one word, we must have the new birth of the spirit which our Lord twice described to Nicodemus.
This brings us to our second conclusion: Only those born of the Spirit can enter into heaven. Today, the role of the Spirit in salvation has been reduced. According the the Scriptures, it is the Spirit who brings conviction of sin (John 16:8-11), changes our hearts (Ezk. 36:26-27), calls us to God (John 6:44,65), and makes us new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Many today teach that the Spirit’s role is merely a passive one: He cannot cause us to be born again until we first do something. But Jesus tells Nicodemus that, until he is born again, he cannot even see the kingdom of heaven much less enter it.
All of this takes place when we are born again. Our new birth gives us a new heart that desires to follow Jesus and obey Him (Ezk. 36:26-27). Our new birth gives us new eyes which cause us to “see” those things that we did not “see” before (1 Cor. 2:14). The Spirit of God is not passive in our salvation, waiting for us to make the first move. He is active, changing us from sinful creatures with no desire to follow Christ to new creatures that flee to Jesus for salvation. Without His initial work in our lives, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, indeed, we do not even desire to do so.
This truth is also obvious by the analogy of the new birth. For instance, in our physical birth, we contributed nothing. It was the result of a process initiated by our parents. All the wishing or efforts on our part could do nothing to bring about our physcial birth. The same is true in spiritual birth. God must initiate the process. We can contribute nothing to it. This is why John reminds us in his first epistle: “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). It is why John states that “as many as received Him, He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe on His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Our birth comes from “above.” It begins with the work of His Spirit changing us into new creatures.
Finally, John 3 reminds us that all who claim to be “born again” are not. In verse 8, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that the new birth is like the wind. Though it cannot be seen, we know it is there by evidences it produces. Jesus tells Nicodemus: “So is everyone that is born of the Spirit.” In other words, though we cannot see when the Spirit of God causes one to be born again, there will be evidences of spiritual life in that person. That’s why Paul says, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation….” If there is no change, there has been no new birth. Many claim to be born again because they prayed a prayer or walked the aisle or made a decision but they have had no change in their lives. They do not even have any desire to follow Jesus, but they are sure they are “born again.” Jesus tells Nicodemus that everyone born of the Spirit has evidence in their lives of the life of God in them.
How can one be born again? Obviously, it is first and foremost the sovereign work of God. However, the Scriptures indicate that God has chosen to use His Word to bring new life. 1 Peter 1:23 tells us that we have “been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” Paul notes the same: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). If you want to be instrumental in seeing people come to faith, then major on the Word of God. God uses His Word to produce new life.
This new birth is essential to eternal life. Someone put it this way, “Born once, die twice; born twice, die once.” Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Nothing else will do. Without a physical birth, you could have no physical existence. Without a spiritual birth, you will have no spiritual life. “Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.’”
Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International
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