According to Jesus, we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are born again.
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 (NLT)
Many commentators understand that Jesus’ phrase “being born of water” refers to our natural birth. Those who are only born physically only have ordinary human understanding and life. We remain unconnected to unable and to comprehend the things of the Spirit of God.
We must be born again merely to become aware of God’s kingdom, much less to enter it.
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NLT)
It is only after the “wind” of the Holy Spirit blows upon us and causes our spirits to be reborn that we are able to see and experience the realities of God’s kingdom. The Hebrew and Greek words for “spirit” also can mean breath and wind.
The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NLT)
God breathed upon Adam, thus imparting spirit to his lifeless body, causing him to become a living soul (mind, will, and emotions – personality). (Genesis 2:7)
The Holy Spirit “blows” or “breathes” upon us when we are born again, re-birthing and reconnecting our previously “dead” spirits to God, from whom we partake of his never ending life.
After experiencing this divine wind or breath from God, our spiritual eyes are opened to the things of God. (Ephesians 1:18) For the first time, we begin to see who Jesus is more clearly. We start to grasp some of the beauties and glories of God. It is not uncommon for people to say that everything seemed new and different after being born again. That certainly was the case for me.
The new birth is the gateway into following a path on a lifelong journey in pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more fully.
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ Philippians 3:7–8 (NLT)
The new birth is not anything that we can deserve, earn, or accomplish on our own. It comes from God in a most mysterious way. Jesus said that we cannot explain how it happens any more than we can control the wind. We cannot make it happen for ourselves or anyone else. We can only share the gospel and lead people to God. After that we and they depend wholly on God with whom that heavenly transaction must take place. Our job is to receive his words, believe on his name, ask him for forgiveness, and present ourselves to him. Jesus said that if we seek God, we will find him. If the Spirit is nudging us to seek God, I believe it is a sure sign that he is at work in our lives. By all means respond, as King David did.
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 (NLT)
Jesus promised that he will not turn away anyone who seeks him.
However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. John 6:37 (NLT)
Those who are merely born the natural way will die twice. The first death is the natural end to physical life that we must all experience. The second death is the lake of fire, God’s punishment for those who rebel against him and refuse his gracious offer through the gospel.
Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14–15 (NLT)
Those who are born twice, naturally and from heaven, will only die once. We will escape the fiery wrath of God when we put our faith and loyalty in Jesus, who paid the price for our sins already and promised that we will never come into judgment ever again.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:16–18 (NLT)
If we are not sure if we have been born again, it is a good chance that we have not.
If what I have written in this article seems foreign to your experience, it may mean that God has much more for you, if you will seek him with all your heart. Don’t let the day go by without inviting Jesus to be Lord of your life. Tell him that you give yourself to him and receive all he died to give us. He will take all we are, warts and all, and give us all he is. We will receive his righteousness and life. It’s called the New Covenant, the great exchange! If we do our part, he will be sure to do his. Wait for it.
Prayer
Jesus, I don’t know if I have been born again. You said we cannot enter your kingdom or truly know you without this happening. You also said you will never reject anyone who comes to you. I come to you now. I want this new birth. I want to have my spiritual eyes opened to see your kingdom. I want to be part of the family of God. I ask you to come into my life and forgive all my sins. I give you my life and acknowledge that you are my Lord. Come, Holy Spirit, do your unseen work inside of me. Amen.
If you prayed this sincerely, hold on to your hat! God is going to do something amazing in your life. Wait for it. It is on the way.
