Many people struggle to understand what “born again” means or how to achieve it. Thankfully, Jesus addressed this issue in John 3:1-21 after telling a man named Nicodemus that he must be born again to go to heaven. He said in verse 3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He also stated in verses 6-7, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
Jesus’ words not only made it clear that individuals cannot go to heaven unless they are born again but also distinguished this supernatural birth from one of human origin.
In a natural birth, a human gives birth to another human (i.e., “flesh gives birth to flesh”). However, the born-again birth is a supernatural work where God’s Spirit gives life to a human spirit (i.e., “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”). This rebirth occurs when a sinner trusts Jesus for their forgiveness and salvation, having confessed and repented of their sins.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Additionally, Acts 3:19 states, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
When a sinner is born again, several supernatural occurrences transpire simultaneously:
First, Jesus forgives their sins and cleanses them from all ungodliness by exchanging their sinfulness for His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” It also says in Philippians 3:8-9, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”
Second, God grants them eternal life in heaven when they die. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Third, God makes them a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Fourth, God grafts them into His family. Romans 11:17-18 says, “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
Fifth, Jesus immediately sends the Holy Spirit to live inside of them. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
It should be noted that a person who has been genuinely born again will exhibit evidence of redemption because the Holy Spirit cannot indwell someone without any observable or measurable proof of His presence. In other words, much like there would be modifications made to someone’s residence if the President of the United States moved into their home (along with visible signs of the President’s occupancy), how much more would the Holy Spirit’s presence be visible and evident within someone's heart and life if He indwelt them?
I hope this information helps you understand what born again means and assists you in communicating this biblical truth to others.
