Chapter Six - The New Birth
INTRODUCTION
Read John 3:1-21. You have read in John chapter three about how Jesus talked with a very religious and moral man named Nicodemus. Jesus told him that it was absolutely necessary for him to be born again if he wanted to see or enter the kingdom of God (verses 3-5). It is absolutely necessary for each one of us too (verse 7).
WHAT IS THE NEW BIRTH?
Many people do not know anything about being born again and others have wrong ideas (See John 1:12,13):
The new birth is not the same as natural birth. It is "not of blood." Your parents may be Christians but that does not make you a Christian.
The new birth does not come by self-will. A child cannot will itself to be born physically. And just so we cannot be born again by our own efforts.
The new birth does not come by human help. No human being, even if he has a high position in the Church, can give the new birth to another person.
The new birth is not a physical change. Nicodemus did not understand this but Christ showed him that it was a spiritual change (verses 4-6).
The new birth is not a geographical change. When a person is born again, God does not suddenly take him to heaven. He continues to live on earth, but he now lives to please his Lord and Savior (1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Colossians 3:22-24).
The new birth is not just knowing about it. A person can be religiously educated and without being born again.
The new birth is not a process of growing and changing. Sinners are dead spiritually (Ephesians 2:2). Life cannot develop when it does not exist.
The new birth is not self-improvement. It is not just getting rid of our bad habits. It is not a change in our way of living. It is a change inside of us.
The new birth is not a religious belief. We can be baptized, we can join the church, we can be an officer in the Church, and not be born again. Jesus was talking to one of the more religious, sincere, moral men (i.e. Nicodemus) of His day. He told him that even he must be born again.
The new birth is a spiritual change (verses 6-8). God is the only One who can bring this change into our lives (John 1:13).
WHY MUST A PERSON BE BORN AGAIN?
Jesus said, "Do not marvel" (verse 7). We should not be surprised that the new birth is necessary. It is perfectly logical and reasonable.
We must be born again because without the new birth we do not possess a spiritual nature (verse 6). The word "flesh" means the sinful nature that we received when we were born. When Adam sinned, his nature became sinful. Each one of us receives this sinful nature when we are born into this world. See Romans 5:12,18,19; Psalm 51:5. Romans 8:5-8 describes the character of this sinful nature that is called "the flesh." It is "hostile to God. It does not submit to (obey) the law of God." And so it cannot please God. By nature we cannot understand and enjoy the things of God or even desire them. See 1 Corinthians 2:14. We can train "the flesh" and improve it and even make it religious, but we cannot change its nature. It is still rebelling against God and cannot please God in any way. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh."
We must be born again because without the new birth we cannot see the Kingdom of God or enter into it. See verses 3-5. What does the "kingdom of God" mean? It is described as a spiritual experience. We read, "The Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (physical); but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
There are two kingdoms. One is called "the kingdom of men" and the other is called "the kingdom of God." One is called "the flesh" and the other is called "the Spirit." We all enter the kingdom of men by physical birth. We receive a physical nature that makes us fit for the physical kingdom in which we are to live. But how will we be able to see the value of the kingdom of God and enter into it? The answer is quite clear. We must have a new birth - a spiritual birth - that will put us into this new kingdom. Through this new birth we will receive a spiritual nature. This new nature will make us able to enjoy the spiritual realities of the Kingdom of God. Now read Romans 8:9. As God saw these people, they were no longer "in the flesh." They were "in the spirit." How did they get from one kingdom to the other? In was the work of the Spirit of God when they accepted Christ as Savior.
We must be born again because without the new birth we do not possess spiritual life. By nature we are "dead through trespasses and sins"; "alienated from the life of God"; "not having life." See Ephesians 2:1,2; 4:18; 1 John 5:11,12. A body without physical life is dead physically. A person without spiritual life is dead spiritually. Death means separation. If we are separated from Christ, in whom is life, we are dead spiritually (John 1:4). If we are spiritually dead, how can we get spiritual life? Christ Himself gives us the answer. Turn to John 5:24,25. If we hear the Son of God, and receive His word, and trust Him as Savior, we will receive spiritual life. We will be born again. See also John 3:16; 6:47; 10:26-28; 1 John 5:13.