“Born-Again”, John 3:1-8, Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts
We’ve been examining conversions in the book of Acts, and now we’re going to look closer at what it means to be converted. When Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States, he described himself as a “born-again” Christian. For many Americans this was an unfamiliar term. By the time of the next election primaries, nearly all the candidates were claiming to be “born-again.” Political satirist Mark Russell suggested, “This could give Christianity a bad name.”
“Born-again” has become part of modern language, our vernacular. This doesn’t mean people necessarily understand it. This term has unfortunately been turned into a generalized way of indicating any awakened awareness. Sometimes it means a return to a previously-held position; e.g. on CNN a politician was described as a “born-again Socialist”. While this may suggest a personal shift in economic ideology, it has nothing to do with the Cross of Christ. Even worse was a love song from the 80’s that declared, “With you I’m born-again”.
Even the Church seems confused by this perfectly legitimate, Biblical term. Some Christians think “born-again” is an exclusively Charismatic or Fundamentalist concept. In fact, it is a teaching straight from the pages of Scripture, and is an essential truth of our faith, critical to our eternal condition and destiny.
In John’s Gospel we encounter a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus going to Jesus for spiritual advice. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, which may be why he came at night, unobserved by those critical of Jesus. Nicodemus was a man committed to studying and obeying the Law. He respectfully addresses Jesus as a teacher from God, though Jesus was more than just another teacher. Nicodemus was impressed with Jesus, and more open-minded than most of the religious leaders of the day. He acknowledged the Source of Jesus’ power, even though he was aware that Jesus had not received any formal religious training.
Jesus gets right to the point. In one sentence He sweeps away all that Nicodemus stood for: “I assure you, unless you are born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (3:3). The word “unless” signals a necessary condition. We have to be re-made from Above. Nicodemus had been diligently taught that salvation came by human effort. It doesn’t matter how good a person may be. Jesus declared that salvation is a work of divine grace.
Although Nicodemus was a teacher of the Law, he too found this concept of rebirth somewhat perplexing. Either he is being sarcastic in his reply, or he is being wistful--how wonderful it would be to go back and have a fresh new start. In either case, Nicodemus thought Jesus was suggesting the impossible--a physical rebirth--and Jesus assures him that being born again is a spiritual event. Nicodemus took Jesus literally, when it’s clear that Jesus was speaking figuratively. Being born again appears absurd unless we grasp the spiritual intent of our Lord’s words. Nicodemus should have been familiar with Ezekiel, to whom God said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (36:26). It’s exactly the same concept and the same promise--regeneration. We can’t find peace with God without the new birth.
Being born-again means an inner reawakening. Another acceptable translation is “born from above.” In order to make sense of this concept, we first need to recognize that we are born spiritually dead. We’re told by Paul in Ephesians 2, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins” (vs 1). The Bible never flatters us; we’re told, “There is none righteous, not one” (Rom 3:12). The Holy Spirit performs heart surgery, giving new life to individuals. This means that even people who aren’t inclined toward God are drawn to Him. We become regenerate, we come alive, when this happens.
Assisting in the process is the written word of God. Spiritual truth helps create new life. Peter tells believers: “You have been born again; your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal living word of God” (1:23 NLT). This is new life created by God, with the help of the Bible, the word of life. The Spirit wrote the Scriptures and writes its truth in our hearts.
It’s been said, “Life begins at 40”. In other words, life begins to make sense and you’re mature and healthy enough to do something about it. But in the spiritual sense, life truly begins when we turn to Christ and receive His forgiveness. This act of faith produces a transformation (faith itself is a gift from God). We begin to walk in a new direction, toward a new destination. God gives us new purpose and priorities; the Spirit enlightens us so that we have a clear understanding of the Bible; and we gain the desire and ability to live in victory, according to God’s revealed will. The power of love is planted in our souls, enabling us to reflect and express God’s love. Some people drive themselves to exhaustion trying to be holy. The miracle of the new birth is seen in how God produces holiness in unholy people, making them members of His family.
The New Testament extends the image by often calling new believers “children”. We mature by “feeding” on God’s word. Rebirth is the starting point of our spiritual life. Prayer keeps us in communion with our Savior. Fellowship encourages us, and Communion reminds us of the price paid for our forgiveness. The Lord’s Supper is the family meal of all believers, a family we’re born into. This meal is for all who’ve been born again. It isn’t a denominational meal, but a meal for anyone who has trusted Jesus.
Jesus then expands the image in verse 5, stating, “No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” It is widely thought that the “water” refers to physical birth, the fluid released at birth when a mother’s “water breaks”, and the “Spirit” to a second, spiritual birth. This answers Nicodemus’ question and clarifies his clouded understanding. Jesus goes on, restating this in the next verse: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Humans can reproduce, giving birth, but only God can cause rebirth. The first birth is physical; the second birth is from heaven. This is something we can’t see; it is an inner transformation, which is why Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind in verse 8. We can’t see the wind, nor can we control it; but we can see its effect. “The new life begotten by the Spirit of God is as mysterious as the wind” (F.B. Meyer). That Spirit bears the seed of a new life.
We describe ourselves in numerous ways, but one word most people would not use to describe themselves is “dead”. They’re enjoying life, but theirs is a false security and comfort that blinds them to their need. People who live for self sense little need for God, and they are headed toward eternal death. It’s been said, “If you’re born once, you die twice; if you’re born twice, you die once!”
Attending church is important, but it’s no guarantee of being born again. Some people have “churchianity”; they lack the “real thing”. It’s not enough to say, “I’ve been baptized and I belong to a church, so I suppose I’m born-again.” On the other hand, some genuine believers lack assurance of salvation because they can’t point to a specific time and place when they trusted Christ. We can’t remember when we were born, but we know we’re alive. We may not recall when we were born-again, but if we’re trusting Christ as Savior and Lord, we know we’re alive spiritually. Knowing a specific time and place of one’s conversion doesn’t guarantee the genuineness of one’s condition. Having new life means there is evidence, proof of saving faith in how we live. Authentic faith results in new priorities—an interest in spiritual things, victory over temptation, and overall a changed life. There’s proof of profession. Paul observes that “anyone in Christ is a new creation; the old way of life is passing away and everything is becoming new” (I Cor 5:17). A new nature is created within us.
Rebirth means an inner renovation. We’re in the process of repairing our stained glass window. In Cambridge, England, during WWII, in order to save the stained glass windows of King’s College Chapel, the residents broke out each section of glass and safely stored them. After the war, they reassembled all the pieces and brought the windows back to their original splendor. In the same way, God’s Spirit can take the pieces of our lives and turn them into a supernatural work of art.
Note our Lord’s imperative words of verse 7: “You must be born again.” These words stand in front of the gate of Heaven. “Must” is a strong word. Jesus is saying that there is no other way to heaven but that of rebirth.
Jesus gives us, along with new life, a new ending, a new destiny. We’re dealing with the “God of the second chance”, who offers to all the opportunity to start over. It’s been said, “Christianity is the land of beginning again” (W.A. Criswell). When we turn our lives over to Jesus, anything is possible. Starting over may seem implausible, but Jesus makes new life a supernatural possibility!
Church Bulletin Insert:
§ Born-again: What does it mean? How would you define this often-used term?
§ Does being born again mean being holy?
§ Is it something that happens when we’re baptized?
§ Is it something we do, like turning over a new leaf?
§ Do you think Nicodemus became born again?
“You have been born again; your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal living word of God” (I Peter 1:23 NLT).
If you’re born once, you die twice; if you’re born twice, you die once.
“Christianity is the land of beginning again” (W.A. Criswell).
