Ye Must Be Born Again

Background Scripture: John 3:1-21
Lesson Scripture: John 3:1-10

Introduction

God is not obligated to offer us salvation, but his love and mercy moves Him to reach out and call his sinful and rebellious creation back to Him. He loves us so much that He sent his only Son to take our sins and give Himself as a sacrifice to atone for transgressions He did not commit. “He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21).

The mercy of God first calls us from the state of sinful condemnation to a state of holiness and perfection through the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ. By experiencing the new birth, we come to know the wonderful transformation that prepares us to live a Christ-like life on earth and a heavenly life when Jesus comes again.

We are blessed beyond measure in knowing and experiencing the mystery of being born again and the infilling of God’s grace and power. By living a faithful Christian life, we lift Him up and glorify Him before a world in need of salvation.

Key Verse

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Eph. 2:4-5).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

John the Baptist came to announce the coming kingdom of Christ, a spiritual kingdom that the people could not yet understand. The Jewish world of the day was bound and enslaved to a religion of form and empty ritualism. Intellectual, religious theologians held the people under their control by fear and ignorance. This was the case with Nicodemus, a man of education and power. As long as he remained obedient and submitted to his colleagues, he had no reason to fear reprisal, but he had questions, and for this reason he sought Jesus by night, seeking some answers to satisfy his heart. His exchange with Jesus revealed his yearning to know more about Him. The miracles he no doubt had witnessed or heard of had convinced him that Jesus was not a mere man. However, Nicodemus did not yet understand Jesus’ explanation of the new birth. As he listened to the Lord teaching about the necessity of the new birth, he was astonished and incredulous of how one could indeed make the kind of change Jesus was talking about.

In our modern world, humanism and evolutionary intellectualism have replaced spirituality and belief in God. Humanistic men of today do not want to accept anything that does not fit with the concepts of so-called science and evolution. In much the same way as Nicodemus among his peers, those who disagree with them are disparaged and marginalized. True Christians of today must be willing to stand for the truth at any cost. Intellectualism will never satisfy the longing of the soul. As human thinking and reasoning replace faith and trust in an all-wise and almighty God, hearts grow cold. Deception replaces the simple, trusting faith that opens our understanding and enlightens the way to freedom and peace (Heb. 11:3).

The new birth is a divine miracle offered by an almighty, infinite God and Creator as He reaches down to the repentant sinner’s uplifted, grasping hand of faith. The instant the Divine touches that hand of faith the sinner is changed. He becomes a new creature; old things pass away, and all things become new. The new birth can never be undone; even though the person may fall away, the imparted knowledge of the Almighty will always remain. In heaven, it will be the greatest of joys to experience the fulness of that knowledge. In hell, that knowledge will be a continual source of lamentation and remorse.

For faithful believers the new birth opens the way for their minds to be enlightened and changed. The infilling of the Holy Spirit continually abides with them. He enlightens and teaches them in the way of truth. That which was dark becomes light; that which was confusing becomes clear; that which was incomprehensible becomes understandable. They are renewed in the spirit of their minds and have the mind of Christ. Man says, “I can do all things.” The Christian says, “I can do all things through Christ” (Phil. 4:13).

The mystery of the new birth remains hidden from the world because it runs contrary to human reasoning. That which frustrates human reasoning is found within the reality of the gospel experience: In surrendering all, we obtain everything; in dying, we find life; in humility, we find true greatness; to lead, we must serve; and in giving, we are given.

The Lord Jesus gives us a new life and a totally new perspective and understanding. This change is evident both within us as well as to those around us. The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts to help us understand the will of God. God’s peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).

Practical Truths for Today

The new birth experience, while difficult to explain in human terms, is illustrated by the response of the blind man who Jesus healed. When asked by the Pharisees about the One who had restored his sight, he replied clearly, “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).

The miracle that happens when we are born again is just as miraculous as the restoration of physical sight. A prayer begun in distress and agony and in miserable condition is suddenly answered by the burden of guilt and grief being rolled away. In its place, a peaceful quietness fills the heart and mind. Where there was fear and turmoil, there is liberty and peace. Where there was despair and hopelessness, there is hope and courage. Where there was offense and ill-will, there is love and confidence. A face that was twisted with anger and resentment becomes radiant with the reflection of Jesus. This is only explained by an experience with God. When we listen to the testimony of a new Christian, it is not so much the words that they say but the disposition of a free and peaceful spirit. This evidence convinces us that such a one has been born again.

A certain brother became slack in his Christian life. As he continued in his lukewarm condition, he began to feel that no one in his congregation loved him; he felt left out and unappreciated. He was encouraged to seek the Lord and reconsecrate his life to God. After a short time, he was able to express how he had again found his way with the Lord. As a result, his life had changed. He now felt differently about the congregation; he expressed how much love he felt from the brotherhood. Something had happened. It was not that others had changed, but God had touched his heart and given him a new life and a new mind. His perspective had completely changed, and things seemed so different. What a miracle! God can do this for anyone who wants to find a new life in Christ.

Questions

1. How do feelings and facts fit together into the new birth experience? Can we have a new birth experience without feeling it?
2. Is it possible to put too much emphasis on the feeling of peace?
3. When does the Holy Spirit come into our heart when we are born again?
4. The new life in Christ is so precious when we are born again. How can we keep that alive in our hearts?
5. When a Christian falls away through sin, why does he not need to again be born again to be restored in his relationship with God?
6. A person who is born again becomes a new creature and all his sins are forgiven, yet that is only the beginning of a life in Christ. What is the difference between justification and sanctification?

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).