Born Again, Born of God - Part I

Last week I decided to re-read the Gospel of John. Re-read is a bit generous because in truth I have never read it fully to the end, but the plan was to read it to the end this time.

I've read the first few chapters a few times so thought I knew this part pretty well but I was surprised when 12 verses down, I felt like my eyes were opened to a new truth... I couldn't say how many times I've heard altar calls for salvation that recited that very verse. You probably think you know it well too, but do you really understand? I hope you do, if not, I hope this helps.

Being "Born Again"

The concept of spiritual rebirth - being "born again", tends to be the subject of confusion, ridicule or even disputes among believers and non-believers alike.

Even when Jesus first mentioned it in the bible (John 3:3-6), during a conversation with Jewish leader, Nicodemus by saying "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God", Nicodemus, clearly dumbfounded at the idea, asked "How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!"

Bible scholars have since explained that the confusion in this case arose due to the orginal Greek word ανωΘεν (anothen), as recorded in the Gospel of John, which could mean both again or from above... So being born "again" really means being born "from above".

Jesus went on to clarify that "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again." 

Thus summarizing the whole concept of spiritual rebirth.

I like how it is first introduced in John 1:12-13

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

From the above verses we see there exists a natural birth of blood, flesh and the will of man, which we all experience by force of nature and many of us celebrate yearly  blowing out candles etc.; but there is also a birth from above, which involves spiritual transformation or rebirth from God (being born in the Spirit), which few choose to experience.

Let's quickly analyze each in turn...

1. Natural Birth

1.1. Born of Flesh and Blood

We are spirit beings created by God in His likeness (Genesis 1:27; John 4:24) and we gain physical existence and legal citizenship here on Earth by inhabiting a body made of blood, flesh and bone; by being born of our mothers, of the lustful will of man.

"...Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh..."

John 1:13 mentions the "will of the flesh" it is important to note that the flesh has its own will which at times is contrary to the Spirit or the will of God (Galatians 5:17). In fact, much of our sinful ways are directly attributable to the desires and weaknesses of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 8:5-8; Matthew 26:41). 

So Being born in the flesh is essentially being born to a nature of contention against the Spirit in matters of morality as defined by God. Being born in the flesh is being born to a sin nature.

1.2. Born in Sin

This nature of contention against the Spirit can be traced all the way back to the fall of man soon after creation (Genesis 3). 

The price of this original sin was a curse over the Earth and mankind. As a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience, all mankind was cut off from communion with God and became spiritually dead (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:1). 

This happened because God is Holy (Lev 11:45); He hates and cannot condone sin (1 John 1:5; Ps 5:4-5).

Even though we did not participate in this original sin, we still inherit the curses brought down on Adam and Eve (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-19).

"Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again." (John 3:6)

Which is why we need to be born again, from above.

• To please God and make heaven our home;
• To free ourselves from the bondage of sin and live in right standing with God;
• To avoid spiritual and eternal death and to escape hell.

(see: Galatians 6:8; Colossians 1:10-14; Romans 6:23; Rev 21:8)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is interesting to note that Jesus was not born in sin. Although born of a woman, He was not born "of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man" but of the Spirit.

2. Children of God

God has but one begotten son whom He gave for our salvation out of love (John 3:16), His name is Jesus.

Jesus knocks persistently and patiently at the door of our hearts and hopes that we invite him in (Rev 3:20-22).

As many as received Him and believed in His name... He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

2.1. Born from Above

We are all creations of God and God loves all of His creation (Ps. 145:9; Romans 5:8) but we are not born children of God (Romans 9:8). All men are born into a sin nature and it is their beliefs, choices and actions or lifestyles that separate the children of God from children of inequity (1 John 3:1-10; 1 John 2:15-16).

Those whose lifestyle does not honour God, are not of God.

John 1:12 tells us that we must receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour AND believe in His name (name above all names) to be adopted into God's family through Christ Jesus that lives in us and have the right to be called children of God, to become heirs together with Christ.

This is a free gift of Grace whereby we receive deliverance from sin. It is not something any of us earn by being good or are in any way entitled to (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). It does not matter how good or bad we think we are. It does not matter how much or how badly we sinned before coming to Christ. All that matters is leaving these sins behind and obeying God.

(see Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:5-6; Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:14-17).

Receiving Jesus and Believing in His name are really the only keys to being saved. But this decision is generally followed by a public act of submitting to baptism in obedience to God's will and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is an act by which we seal our repentance and pledge for a clear conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21).

2.2. Born of water and the Spirit

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16

Baptism is a public act by which we show repentance, profess our faith and seal our discipleship to God. It is an act of obedience and submission to the will of God, that follows the inward changes that come with believing and trusting in Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Notice how the scripture says "whoever believes and is baptized will be saved but whoever does not believe will be condemned". Although not believing leads to condemnation, not being baptized does not carry the same sentence.

Water baptism is a very important part of our fellowship with Christ and should not be taken lightly. However, as we see in other passages of scripture where salvation precedes water baptism (Luke 23:39-43), it is NOT a pre-requisite for salvation. Not only that, but the act of water baptism alone, without repentance and believing, will not lead to salvation. Jesus is our redemption from sin, He won our salvation and forgiveness at the cross such that we need do nothing more than believe in Him to be justified and saved (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

If we consider (for illustrative purposes only) that our walk with Christ is a marriage, where He is the Groom and we, the church, his followers, are His bride, then baptism is like the wedding ceremony.

Just as couples fall in love first, then make a decision in their hearts to spend their lives together come what may, and finally take that walk down the isle and swear forever; so too, we must first believe and feel the desire to ''die'' to our old sinful ways, commit to God and move on to a new life with Christ (be born again). In both cases the ceremony is but a symbol and public declaration of a decision that has already been sealed in the heart.

Jesus mentions being baptized of "water and the Spirit" as a condition for entering the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is that incorruptible, eternal realm of creation. It is the seat of God and as God is holy, His kingdom is holy and nothing unholy can enter it (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Our spirit must be made holy before it can enter any place strictly reserved for holy creatures. We must be baptized in the Spirit by faith through Christ for the Spirit to testify that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).

The bible speaks of laying aside our old corrupted self and putting on a new self created in righteousness (Ephesians 4:22-24). We become new creatures in Christ and old things pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17). All for receiving and believing in Jesus.

This complex topic is analyzed further in part II, in the mean time, if you would like to share your experience, do leave a comment below.

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