“You Must Be Born Again” (Jn 3:7)
What did Jesus mean by such a statement? What would a Pharisee think of such a radical statement? The Lord Jesus, because He was God Himself, was speaking of spiritual realities. The problem is that the dull, hardened heart of a sinner cannot grasp the import of this statement. It needs the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the spiritual significance forcibly home to the heart. All life comes from God, even the natural life that we have. But Jesus is speaking here of entering into a new realm of life, a new living experience, not just a natural experience of life but to experience spiritual life, the very life of God. As a result of such life, we then have the ability to experience God, experience a living and real relationship with God. The stunning part is, that for the first time in our lives we come to realisation that God is actually real, He exists and we know this because now we have this life within that communicates this reality to our souls. Wonder of wonders, we find our true purpose in life, to know God and to experience Him (or fellowship with Him). No wonder Jesus said that He and the Father would come by the Power of the Holy Spirit within to make their abode in us, the union of the Godhead dwelling within us so that we may know and experience God (John 17:21). This is why Jesus said in John 17:3 “this is life eternal; that they may know You the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
Eternal life in its essence is God living in us and giving us a conscious reality of His Presence - a knowledge of who He is and what He wants us to do. Because He now lives within us by His Spirit, He is able to reveal to us what His Word means, which is really Him feeding us so that we may be nourished and grow up into the fullness of our sanctification. But of course, the other mark of all life is that we breathe, and so it is with this new life, that it is evidenced by breathing, which in the spiritual realm is prayer and fellowship with God. Is a man or woman born again? Well, we should know by the life of God being manifest within them, by showing signs of growth, the fruits that accompany such a life (Jesus said by their fruits ye shall know them). They will become more like Christ (as He is formed in them), these in the end are really the fruits of obedience or, simply put, living out the new life from the knowledge we have of God and the promptings of the Spirit (which we know line up with the Word of God).
But that other mark of life will be present, a desire for fellowship with God expressed in prayer and communion, and fellowship with the rest of His Body, which should be natural, since Christ is not divided but one spiritual body in the earth. The result of such a life being manifested in us will be holiness - which is similarity to God, for it is He who said “Be ye holy for I am Holy”, (1Peter 1:15-16), joy and peace in the Holy Spirit, unity with believers, generosity of spirit, kindness towards our enemies and fellow believers, and of course the outworking in a practical way of patience, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Love of course will be evident as result of all of these out-workings and is, of itself, the commitment to do these things. This is because, the life of God within compels us since we feel the love of God Himself in our hearts and it moves our hearts to perform such actions.
If we are born again, Jesus will have won the seat of our affections. Let me ask you, do you have that personal, living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that affects every area of your life including your thoughts and actions? Or, do you have an academic or religious knowledge of Him? If we have only the latter it will be known, because God’s Kingdom or Rule will not be in our lives. We will give in to the flesh habitually, rather than overcome. If we are born again, it does not mean that we will not sin, but if we obey the new life of God in us we need not sin. We have, as born again believers, the supernatural power of God to stop sinning! If you cannot identify with this life, then come to Him in repentance and He will work the miracle of new birth in your heart and usher you into a new and living relationship with Him by His Spirit. For God’s love, demonstrated through the cross and the plan of salvation, reaches out to all mankind now with the offer of salvation to all who will come to Him, to all who will believe and accept the offer. Can you hear Him say today, “You must be born again!”
