We hear people claim that they are ‘born again Christians.’ What exactly does it mean? Aren’t all Christians born again? I believe they are. There is no other sort. To say ‘born again Christian’ is a tautology, i.e. saying the same thing twice.
You either are a Christian or you’re not. You’re either born again or you’re not.
The expression ‘born again’ comes from John 3 and the encounter of Jesus with Nicodemus. We find a similar idea in John 1:12-13, ‘But as many as received Him,’ ( Jesus) ‘to them He gave the right to become children of God, even 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.’
Like many people, Nicodemus wasn’t immune to peer pressure. He didn’t want to get off side with the other Pharisees who refused to accept the teachings of Jesus. That’s why he came to Jesus at night, John 3:2. But still he wanted answers and Jesus gave them to him. Jesus told him ‘unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,’ John 3:3. To enter the kingdom of God, a person must be ‘born of water and the Spirit,’ John 3:5.
Nicodemus needed to experience this new birth and if we want to enter the kingdom of God, we need to experience this new, supernatural birth too.
Maybe you might think you have grown up in a Christian country, a Christian home, have Christian parents and have always gone to church. But unless you have experienced this new birth then you cannot claim to be a Christian or hope to enter God’s kingdom. Jesus says each of us who wants to live in relationship with God and to enter His kingdom ‘must be born again,’ verse 7. It’s as simple as that.
Join me next time when we will look at how you can determine if you are ‘born again.’
Bible verses from the New American Standard Version
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