Articles
You Must Be Born Again
This past Tuesday My brother and his wife were blessed with a new baby boy. There are few things happier in this life than this blessing. God’s creative hand is seen in every brand new human. I am always amazed as I look at a newborn and consider what their future brings. There is so much potential for growth and learning in such a little package. It is not surprising that God would describe the process of becoming a Christian like being born again. Consider His words to Nicodemus in John 3:3. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This caused confusion to this wise teacher. However when one considers the damage of sin then you can understand that we cannot enter God’s presence in our current state.
The Old Testament predicted the need for renewal. The old person of sin isn’t fit for heaven. But how is this even possible? By the time most of us reach adulthood we are pretty set in our ways. It is only with great effort that we can change anything about ourselves. One thing we cannot change is the death sentence that sin brings. All the way from Adam to modern days sin causes death. The next thing Jesus said to Nicodemus pointed to the need for the working of an outside force to make us reborn. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6). We need a rebirth not only because we have sin, but also because we are made of the “wrong stuff” for heaven. Heaven is a spiritual place for spiritual beings. Flesh and blood have no place there. This body is tainted by sin and death. Consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians. “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:50-53).
As we held my new nephew this week and considered his future we see one full of potential. Lord willing he has a whole new life ahead of him to grow, learn, and accomplish things. It is exciting to know that no matter how flawed and sinful you life in the flesh is, your life in the Spirit is new and full of this same type of potential! You can accomplish so much for God in the future if only you will be born again by water and the Spirit. Being immersed in the waters of baptism will wash away your sins and give you the hope of this future. Why not do it now and start your new life today.
