Important: Being Born Again
John 3:5-8: "Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'”
There are people who think they are "in the faith". Occasionally they pick up the Bible and occasionally they talk to God - but only when they feel the need. To "recharge their batteries," they like to attend some kind of Christian event. These are religious people, but they are missing the crucial point: they have no real, biblical faith and thus no new, divine life. Let's think about this for a moment and read John 3:5-8: "Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of GodEssentially, it refers to the same thing as the kingdom of heaven, whereby it is less about a period and more about the moral characteristics of the kingdom. God is... More. That which is born of the fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More is fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Jesus' miracles attracted many people at that time, including Nicodemus. He was a leader of the Jews. He wanted to approach Jesus directly with a request. Had he become aware that this teacher had more to offer than all the scholars in Israel? And that he himself, despite his leadership positionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... More and task, was missing something crucial? To seek Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More – this was to go against public opinion. This could cost any recognition and honour, as much then as now. Nicodemus therefore came to Jesus by night. But he came and this is important.
When Nicodemus talks to the Lord, he has words of appreciation for the Lord, but the Lord does not respond to these flattering words at all. Undoubtedly: ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More had come from God, and God was with Him. But why does the Lord not respond? For any man this kind of address would have been the highest honor; for the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More, on the contrary, it was only the proof that Nicodemus did not really know Him and also himself yet.
The Jews believed that they were entitled to enter the kingdom of GodEssentially, it refers to the same thing as the kingdom of heaven, whereby it is less about a period and more about the moral characteristics of the kingdom. God is... More because of their ancestry. Furthermore, Nicodemus wanted to benefit for himself from the teachings of Jesus, so he sought out the teacher. But the Lord Jesus makes it clear here that a fundamental change must take place in man in order for him to have real insight into the things of God: We must be born again.
"To be born again" – what should Nicodemus imagine by this? That one supernaturally returns to the body of one's mother, only to be born again? No, the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More could never have meant that. He speaks here about spiritual things – in contrast to Nicodemus, who relies on his natural imagination.
Now the Lord Jesus explains the new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More: it is a process that happens through water and the Spirit. This can only be symbolic language. By "water" is not meant the water of baptism. No, the "water" here is rather a symbol of the Word of God, which the Holy Spirit makes effective on the spirit of a person. This corresponds to what James writes in his letter: "According to his own will he begat [or gave birth to] us by the word of truth" (chap. 1:18).
Every human being is a sinner from birth on and, as a descendant of Adam, incorrigible, totally unable to improve himself. Therefore, he needs a completely new origin. Because he cannot obtain this new origin himself, a work of God is necessary. In order to participate in the kingdom of GodEssentially, it refers to the same thing as the kingdom of heaven, whereby it is less about a period and more about the moral characteristics of the kingdom. God is... More, man needs a completely new nature that fits the kingdom - one must be born of God (Luke 17:21; John 1:13).
Nicodemus is astonished. Why? Nicodemus strove to keep the commandments of God and waited for the announced MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More, who would liberate Israel from the Roman occupying power and then establish his kingdom. And such a religious man is now confronted with the necessity of the new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More. But he must learn that neither by good worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More nor religious education he can enter the kingdom of GodEssentially, it refers to the same thing as the kingdom of heaven, whereby it is less about a period and more about the moral characteristics of the kingdom. God is... More. Something completely new must necessarily arise in the soul of a man: a new nature, a divine nature.
For Nicodemus it becomes tight at this point: Has he experienced an inner change so far? Does he know a once and now? He continues to listen and learns that the new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More is entirely of God. It is a sovereign act of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More, similar to the wind that does not blow as a result of man’s direction. We cannot explain it further, but the effect is clearly visible and that is the point: a new nature is produced that has its origin in God and that thinks and feels just like God.
The new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More is not a process that takes place in the exuberance of emotions. It takes place at conversion and is evidenced by repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More and faith: RepentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More, because one recognizes that one is a sinner and that one is on a completely wrong path; faith, because one believes to be true what God says in His Word and entrusts oneself completely to the Savior Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. From scripture we learn that Nicodemus experienced that change.
Those who are born again see themselves in a new light: formerly corrupt and lost, today posessors of new nature which comes from God; formerly blind to Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, today seeing Him as the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More and the Savior and Lord who embodies in Himself the Kingdom of GodEssentially, it refers to the same thing as the kingdom of heaven, whereby it is less about a period and more about the moral characteristics of the kingdom. God is... More consisting of righteousness, peace and joy (Rom 14:17). This leads to gratitude in our hearts and to living with the desire to serve Him out of this gratitude!
