What does it mean to be born again?Posted May-14-08 05:53:38 PDT He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
John 3:2-3
What did Nicodemus know about the kingdom? From the Bible, he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God's people. Jesus revealed to Nicodemus that the kingdom would come to the whole world, not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus would not be a part of it unless he was personally born again. This was a revolutionary concept: the kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God's kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers (see Luke 17:21). Many people go to church and call themselves Christians. But only they and God truly know if they are born again. As we are born physically as infants and continue to grow throughout our life here on earth, so too, are we reborn spiritually and continue to grow as the kingdom of God finds its root and foundation in our hearts and continues to grow stronger as we grow in God's Word.
God bless you,
JH
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