What did Jesus mean when He said, “You must be born again (John 3:7)?” Nicodemus, the religious leader to whom Jesus was speaking, asked if that meant being a baby a second time. Jesus explained that He was talking about spiritual rebirth (vv.5-8).
We need to be reborn because we are spiritually dead and separated from God at birth. Our sin nature has separated us from a life giving relationship with God. We all have sinned by violating His perfect moral standards (Romans 3:23), and so we all are guilty and deserving of God’s judgement (John 3:18-21).
What every person needs is the forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus made possible through His sinless life, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His resurrection. Spiritual rebirth occurs when a person exercises genuine faith and trust in Christ as Saviour and Lord (vv. 14-18). At that point a believer experiences God’s forgiveness and a radical transformation at the very core of his being (2 Corinthians 5:17). Born again is the beginning of a whole new life where the spirit of God is once again living in us just as it did in Adam when he was created, before he fell into disobedience and sinned against God. Simply, we have been reconciled to God through His Son, Christ Jesus.
Above all else, we must realize that it’s impossible to please God without a life-changing personal encounter with Christ. This involves recognizing that we need a Saviour, excepting the gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), and trusting in Jesus as our only hope of being right with God now and living with Him forever (Romans 6:23).
My question to you is: “Have you been born twice”? If not – take that all-important first step. Put your trust in Jesus now and be right with God!
Bottom line: Because of Adam’s disobedience, all men and women born into this world are separated from God (Rom. 5:12). But because of God’s great love for of us, He did something to repair the broken relationship caused by disobedience or sin. He sent His Son into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died to take the penalty that we deserve. He made it possible for us to be restored to God. Now, all those who recognize their need of salvation and welcome Christ into their lives as their Saviour are freely forgiven and brought into a personal relationship with God (Jn.1:12).