It is essential for every believer in Jesus to be “born from above” in order to come under God’s rule as part of the Kingdom of His dear Son: “Jesus answered and said unto (Nicodemus), Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3)
Consider what is involved in the “new birth:”
1. It involves a simultaneous renewal of the inner man and a coming forth to a new lifestyle from immersion in water: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). It is being born again “with the word of truth” (James 1:18). It is a “washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
Peter expressed it in a different manner: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (I Peter 1:22-25). Those who responded by attending to Jesus’ teaching and following His example in baptism are part of God’s family. John wrote, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Those who believed in Christ were given direction on how to come into His kingdom (see Acts 2:36-47).
2. Those who are born again have a wonderful future: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3-4). Those who “obey the gospel” will receive rest when Jesus returns (II Thess. 1:6-9).
3. Those who are born again have a clear path for how to live: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (I John 3:9). Jesus calls us to live godly (Titus 2:11-14).
4. Those who are born again have a loving spirit: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (1 John 5:1). Those who are born again love God, His word, worship and work and His creatures.
Enterprise Church of Christ 