For the last few weeks we have looked at the phrase “born again”. We first saw what it did not mean followed last week with a better understanding of how it is applied. Our text last week mainly was John chapter 3. I want to look at a few more key points from this passage.
If born again also means to be born from above and if we cannot accomplish a relationship with God “except a man be born again”, how does this come about? Our text will start us out in the right direction in order to find this answer.
John 3
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Jesus compares the working of Holy Spirit to the wind. We cannot see the wind and where it is going, but we can see the effects of the wind in the way in which it changes objects around us. We may see trees blowing or a flag waving and this alone tells us of the wind. The wind itself we cannot see, but by watching the flag we see the work of the wind.
This insight, Jesus says, we can relate to the new birth. You cannot see the Holy Spirit, but you can recognize His power. He has the power to over come the most cold hearted sinner and with convicting power is able to bring that person that is in a state of death, into life everlasting, and place them in God’s Kingdom. God can change the life of a woman on the street into a woman of prayer. We do not see the Spirit with our eyes working on this woman, but we observe His work being done in her life. He can change a drug dealer into a pastor for He has the power to do so.
One pastor was asked, “Do you really believe that Jesus turned water into wine?” The pastor responded, “If you think that’s something, I want you to see how he changed my beer and party life into a house and car”.
The new birth does change people. But there is another thought here I want to point out. We as humans do not know who will be born again. Notice in the text it says just as the wind blows where it wants and just as we cannot tell where it will blow next, so is the new birth.
What does this mean to us?
We cannot look at a person’s deeds and actions before the new birth and think they are near the point of salvation. If we do, this may lead to neglecting some that do not look savable. We do not know who will be saved next, as it is a mystery. Maybe it’s the person you thought would never every change. Maybe it’s the one that you gave up on. Or maybe you are like Jonah and know of person that is evil to the core, laughing at the things of God and spitting in His face if they could.
God may have plans of saving this person. Jesus came to save sinners and but for the grace of God you may be just like that poor lost soul. Maybe in the next moment God will bring the new life to them. We must not pick and choose who we share the Word of God with. We cannot tell who will be saved for we do not understand this mystery. It is not our job to save any one. We need only to share.
Now please do not misunderstand me here. This mystery found here is a mystery to mankind only. This is not a random event where God has His eyes closed. It is a mystery to us, and us only. But to God it is a perfect plan. He is bringing those into His kingdom that he knew of before He even made the world.
John 5:21
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will
One may ask, “What if you are a person that wants to be born again? Just how can this happen? Must you just wait until Holy Spirit comes around and gives you life?”
This indeed is something we must consider. If there is a desire to know God as shown above, and one really means this in their heart, then God is already working in their life. The natural man does not seek after God. This is not the same as proclaiming, “God I want you to prove to me that you exist!!” This last statement often heard today, is not seeking God, but more like shaking a fist in Gods face. This shows no respect toward God, and God will never come forward with those demands.
But if we have given up on man’s ways, and feel a growing need to know what God says, and want to know Him, this is unlike the natural man as the Bible says, “no man seeks after God.” To this person I would say, this "need to know more" feeling, this pulling toward God, is nothing short of God working in your life.
So how does the new birth happen? Well, God could make it happen any way He wants. But in all cases you will hear something from God. Chances are you will not be as Paul, who was blinded by God, walking down a road when God spoke to him from Heaven. Now this could happen, but most likely it will not. But again, to be born again you will hear from God in some fashion.
One way to hear from God is to read His Holy Word. In fact this is the main way that God speaks to us in this day and time. It comes though the reading of His word, or the hearing of His Word by a preacher or another person sharing God’s Word. I want you to look at another passage with me.
2 Tim 3
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Notice in verse 15 that it is the words from God, or in this case the Word of God, the Bible, that makes you wise. Remember this verse?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 1:7)
Fearing God in respect and the power of His judgement is the seed that must be planted before the new birth comes. Therefore, if you seek God in this way, you will find Him. If you seek God in this way, by wanting to know Him, reading to know Him, accepting the reproof and correction (verse 16), this new birth will happen.
Observe also this wisdom found in the Bible leads to salvation. That is what it is all about folks. The natural man sees no need for salvation. The new birth opens man’s eyes to the need of God as LORD and Savior.
From this point forward, the believer has two natures within him. He can still sin my following the old nature. However he now has a new nature to control this sin. One thing for sure, you will see a change in his life. A change will take place the most amoral unconverted man as soon as he is born from above. Not only will his taste for the things of this world change, but also he will become more selective of the company he keeps. He will be more cautious in avoiding ways that tempt him to sin, for he remembers that the holy eye of God is upon him.We have a new man or woman after the new birth. One that understands God’s Word.
One that calls God his LORD. This new person no longer hates God but will show his love for God.