Why We Must Be Born Again Why We Must Be Born Again
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
(John 3:3)
Did you know it is possible to be very religious and yet lost? Consider Nicodemus, who came to Jesus one night in Jerusalem (John 3:1-9). Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Men in this Jewish religious party believed the Bible, kept the commandments and were in the temple praying and teaching every day. They were religious teachers and preachers. Nicodemus told Jesus, “… we know that You are a teacher come from God; …” (John 3:2). But Nicodemus was lost. We know this because Jesus told him, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NKJV). This clearly refers to Nicodemus (cf. vs. 10).
If this very religious preacher was lost, could you be? Why must we be born again? Because we have all sinned and are dead spiritually until we are “born again.” God originally created Adam and Eve with a spirit, soul and body (I Thessalonians 5:23). The body is what you see. The soul includes the mind, will and emotions. Only man was created with a spirit able to know God and live forever. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they died spiritually (Genesis 3:6-9). Everyone since that time except Jesus has also chosen sin, with the same result, spiritual death. That is why we all have to be “born again.”
French scientist, Pascal, said we all have a “God shaped” vacuum inside us that can only be filled by Jesus Christ. Do you sometimes feel empty inside? Perhaps you have tried to fill that emptiness with pleasure, money, power, or, like Nicodemus, even religion, but you are still not satisfied. Could it be that you need to be born again?
Here’s how you can be born again: First, you must sense your need. Nicodemus heard Jesus preach and saw His miracles. He said to Jesus, “… no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). Nicodemus longed for something more and came to the right person. Nicodemus was the first person to hear the most famous verse in the Bible, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Then you must want to be born again. Do you long for something more to fill your emptiness? Thirdly you must come to Jesus.
You may be saying, “How can I be born again?” Receive Jesus. As your personal Savior. The Bible says, “… as many as received Him [Jesus], 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 [born] of God” (John 1:12-13). To be born again you must believe in Jesus so much that you receive Him in a definite personal way. The moment you believe in Jesus and receive Him as your Lord and Savior, you are “born of God.” You can do it anywhere.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, [of your heart] and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me.” When someone knocks on your door, they want to come in. Jesus is talking about the door of your soul. He wants to come into your life. Will you open the door of your soul and invite Him in? He will come in if you receive Him. He added, “and will dine with him…” Jesus wants to have supper with you. He will be family to you. You and Jesus can enjoy supper fellowship together forever. When Jesus comes into your heart, your dead spirit comes alive. He paid for your sins on the cross so He could forgive you and save you. This is what it means to be born again. Receive Jesus as your Savior and be born again today. That is how to be born again.