Born Again in Christ Jesus

One of the most fundamental and monumental things that Jesus ever said, that is so foundational for the life of Christians, is: "Truly, truly, I say to you that a man must be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3)."  This is a remarkable statement and it is dense with theology.

For starters, to be born-again is a necessity.  This seems obvious considering Jesus' words in the Gospel of John.  However, the depth of the statement begs a diving board for understanding.  Consider that Jesus was answering Nicodemus, an already-wise teacher of the Law, was totally baffled, replying in bewilderment, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

So what is Jesus saying?  It starts with a basic assumption that until people become confess and believe in Christ Jesus they are dead.  A dead person is unable to do anything but be dead.  In reality, this is the present state of everyone who does not profess and confess and commit to Christ Jesus in faith: walking dead.

Because this is reality, we must be born again in order to be made alive in Christ.  Amazingly, this is exactly what occurs when we believe in Christ: we are born again.  Peter, in his first epistle, writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet. 1:3)."  Praise be to God that He has chosen to raise us from the dead in Christ Jesus, begetting us in His Holy Spirit!