What does it mean to be born again?
by Joanne Gilchrist, writer and founder of Ruach Resources
Being Born the First Time
When we are born as a baby we get lots of things for free! We don’t earn them or work for them - they are just ours because we were born. I can think of at least 5 things - can you think of any more?
A NAME & IDENTITY
You get a name, usually given by your parents, on a beautiful and powerful birth certificate.
A NATIONALITY
Either the country you’re born in or your parents country - sometimes both! - will give you a passport saying you have all the rights of a citizen of that country.
A FAMILY
Many or few, whether you meet them, know them, like them or love them, they are the relatives you’re born with.
AN INHERITANCE
What your parents own (whether it’s a little or a lot) is yours to use now and/or to inherit later. These are physical things like their furniture, money or a house that your parents give you when they are gone.
A FUTURE
How many days has it been since you were born? Can you work it out? As the old saying goes, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
In the book of John, chapter 3 Jesus has this conversation with a Pharisee (a religious leader) named Nicodemus:
3 Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “They can’t go back inside their mother! They can’t be born a second time!”
5 Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom unless they are born with water and the Holy Spirit. 6 People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again.’ (John 3:3-7 NIrV)
What does being born again mean?
It means that a new life is waiting for you and anyone who receives and believes in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When you take this step of faith, you are born again of the spirit and you get lots of spiritual stuff for free! Just like when you were a baby:
A NEW NAME.
When you are born again you get a brand new identity - you are now A Child of God. God will also help you discover the person He created you to be and help you grow into that wonderful person of God.
A NEW NATIONALITY.
Believers in Jesus are now citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. The rules in this kingdom are a bit upside down - things like loving those who hate you and trusting God more than worrying (See ‘Sermon on the Mount’ Matthew 5-7). Don’t worry - you’ll get the hang of it!
A NEW FAMILY.
When you are born again, you become a part of the family of God. This means every other believer is now your brother and sister in the family of God. Whether you meet, know, love or like them, they’re yours now!
A SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE.
There are lots of promises in the Bible that God has made. When you believe in Jesus, these promises are for YOU. Some are for you to enjoy now like grace and forgiveness and being holy and blameless in God’s sight and others are waiting for you in heaven.
AN ETERNAL FUTURE AND ETERNAL LIFE.
You get to live forever! In heaven, with God, always.
“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16
What’s the Big Deal about Being Born Again?
Why was it important for Nicodemus to learn about being born again? Of all the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, why did Jesus choose to share this one with Nicodemus?
Perhaps it is because Nicodemus was relying on his human, physical, ‘earthly’ identity to be right with God. His identity was that he was one of the most influential leaders among the Jewish people of the time. Nicodemus relied heavily on his family name, his nationality as a Jew, his Jewish inheritance from Abraham and his ‘goodness’ as a Pharisee as his ‘ticket to heaven’. But Jesus told him it was not enough; he must be born again - in a spiritual sense.
Are you like Nicodemus?
What kind of a family have you grown up in? Are they respectable? Do they have a good name? Are they rich or influential? Are they a good family? A Christian Family?
Whatever kind of family you have grown up in, you can’t rely on your family history or family name to get you into heaven. Jesus says it’s not enough. You, personally, must take the step of faith to receive Jesus and believe in Jesus as the Son of God and then you, too, will be born again. You will become known as a child of God, a citizen of heaven, part of the family of God with a spiritual inheritance and eternal life.
Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, who died for your sins and rose from the dead so that you could have eternal life? If you are not sure, keep reading and exploring and asking questions. If you do believe, try saying ‘I believe in Jesus Christ’ out loud - right now - to anyone who may or may not be listening!
God so loves……… you. That He gave His one and only son. So that if ………………..you believe in him you will not perish but will have eternal life. [Insert own name in the blank!]
What next?
find a friend who believes in Jesus. Ask them to talk about your shared faith and help you to learn. If you don’t know anyone, look for a friendly, Christian church. Ask God to help you.
try talking to God, any time, any where. We call it prayer.
download God for Kids app to keep learning about God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit or get hold of a copy of one of our books from the bookshop.