As I talk with many distressed, confused and frustrated people, I find that there is a consciousness of the need for a new birth or a new awakening. As one young man poured out his heart in frank confession of his many failures, he threw up his hands in resignation. Amid tears he said, “I guess I was just born wrong.”
He was much nearer the truth than he realized. The Bible plainly indicates that all of us—rich, poor, high, low, kings and commoners—were born wrong. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
When Nicodemus came to see Jesus one night, he in effect represented the whole of the human race. The question upon Nicodemus’ lips was one that has dwelt in the minds of all men and women since the beginning of time—the question of eternal life.
Jesus gave him a direct and concise answer to this question: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus did not attempt a logical explanation of the full meaning of these words. He realized full well that our finite minds could not grasp the meaning of spiritual things.
“If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe,” He said, “how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” (John 3:12). Here Jesus implied that spiritual things can only be known through experience.
You might as well try to explain in academic phrases the meaning of love to a young man who has never experienced a real romance, as to endeavor to explain the matter of the new birth to a man who has never been born again.
Millions of people can vouch for the fact that the new birth is a genuine and vital experience. Certainly there must be such an experience, or Jesus would not have made this experience a condition for eternal life. Christ does not make unreasonable demands upon men and women.
In simple language Jesus stated, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). In other words, Jesus said that it is possible to start all over again—it is possible to be born the second time.
But perhaps like Nicodemus you will ask, “How can this be? How can I enter my mother’s womb the second time? What does Jesus mean by the new birth?”
It will probably help you to understand better by stating what the new birth is not. First, it is not noble resolves. Have not all of us, when we have emerged from certain experiences, resolved to live more nobly, more unselfishly?
Or who of us, when stricken with illness, or perhaps standing at an open tomb with tear-stained eyes, has not vowed to be better and more godly? These periods of noble resolutions are great experiences; but unless they are followed by a course of action that actually brings about an inner change, they are worthless. No, the new birth is not noble resolves.
Second, the new birth is not sorrow for sin. Many a man or woman has come home after a night of reveling and debauchery, climbed between the sheets, and wished that their hearts were as clean as the linens of their bed. I have seen drunken men and women cry over their condition, but shortly afterward they could be seen taking still another drink. Almost everyone feels remorse for wrongdoing, but remorse alone will not bring about the new birth.
Third, the new birth is not joining the church. The church is the greatest institution on Earth, but there is no particular magic in joining it—unless through that act you are brought face to face with Christ and yield your life to Him.
Now, with the Word of God in our hands, let us see what the new birth actually is. Remember that Jesus said you have to be born again before you can go to Heaven.
I want to ask you: Have you been born again? Perhaps you will answer, “But, Billy, I don’t know what it means to be born again. What are you talking about? It’s all strange and new—it’s a foreign language to me.” As simply as I possibly can, I want to explain to you how to become born again.
First, the new birth is a spiritual birth. The Bible says that those who are born again “were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). Our first birth gave us physical life; the new birth gives us spiritual life.
Physical life terminates at death, but the spiritual life that is imparted to us through the new birth is eternal and everlasting. Flesh and blood were the factors that figured in our physical birth, but God is responsible for our spiritual birth.
When we experience the new birth, we have entered into abundant living. There is a vast difference between existing and living. Deep in the hearts of men and women there is the realization that they were created for something better, finer and nobler in life.
But, shackled to their chains of bondage, they grope in despair. Added to their abject misery is the knowledge that they could be, and should be, living in the image of God.
What a glorious experience it is to be born of God! What a heritage! And if we are born of God, then we are the children of God. The Bible says, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be” (1 John 3:2).
Look at the benefits of being a child of God through the new birth:
His power is transmitted to us. The Bible says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
We are also led by His Spirit. The Bible says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
We are absolved from guilt so that we may be “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
We are heirs of God: “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7).
This God-life can be yours. God has made His move by providing it. It is now your move. You must claim it.
God has provided a great inheritance for you; but being a just, ethical, righteous God, He will not force it upon you. It is a gift—will you take it? It is an inheritance—will you receive it?
Second, the new birth is a revolutionary birth. The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Physically, of course, you remain the same; but in every other way your life will be transformed after the new birth.
There will be things to be given up and surrendered, but let me assure you that God will give you something much better in their place. If He asks you to lay aside your worn-out coat of shabby conduct, be bold to do so, for He will give you in its place clothing of white linen symbolizing the righteousness of God.
I once heard a carpenter say that it is always better and usually more economical to construct a new house than to patch up an old one. This is even more true in the spiritual realm. There is nothing in our old nature worth salvaging. Our thoughts are full of deceit. Our mouths are filled with cursing and bitterness. The way of peace we have not known. The Bible says, “There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12).
The old nature with its deceitfulness, its depravity and its wickedness must give way to a new nature. And this is exactly what God stands ready to do for you today. God says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26).
It is utterly impossible to change your disposition in your own strength. Thus, the new birth is something that must be done for you by another; and God has promised to do what you cannot do for yourself.
I hold in my hand at this moment a book—the Bible. It has a message for you, and that message is, “You must be born again” (John 3:7).
That message contains both a command and a promise. It presents the possibility that you can have a new, changed, transformed nature. And it also states emphatically that you will never see the Kingdom of God unless you are born again.
Have you been twice born? If you have not, you are not only unfit for the Kingdom of God; you are cheating yourself out of the greatest, the most revolutionary experience known to mankind.
Right now, you can turn from your sins, and by faith receive Christ and experience the new birth. You can start life all over again—you can be born again right now. At this moment, turn from your sins and receive Christ into your heart. He will transform you and make you a new person. ©1955 BGEA
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version.
Come to Christ and Be Born Again!
Being born again is the only way to Heaven, and it can happen right now! Jesus will come into your heart and life today if you will turn from your sin and put your faith in Him. You can have a new life, a new beginning. First, confess your sin to God and turn away from it. Second, receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, putting your faith in Him alone to save you. He promises to live in you and to transform your life.
START BY SIMPLY TALKING TO GOD.
You can pray right now:
“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I’m sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe He died on the cross for my sin and You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
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Photo: Russ Busby / ©1972 BGEA