What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?

What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?

You may be deeply religious, you may even be trying to live a good decent moral life. But you still need to be born again. Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus explained this to a religious leader: "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from G-d: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except G-d be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of G-d. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of G-d. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" (John 3:1-7). "Born again" means literally "to be born from above".

To understand this Biblical term, it is necessary to understand that there are TWO BIRTHS. The "first" birth is the PHYSICAL BIRTH when you were born physically into this world. When the Bible speaks of being "born of water," it is speaking about the physical birth (NOT baptism). The "second" birth is a SPIRITUAL BIRTH, which means to be born of the "Spirit" (G-d's Holy Spirit). Why does a person need to be born spiritually? The reason why you need to be "spiritually" born is because you have never been spiritually born to begin with. So when the Bible speaks of being “born again,” it actually means “born for the second time.” You were born physically into this world, but you were born without the Spirit of G-d in your soul (spiritually dead). Yes, G-d created you, but He gave you a freewill to decide for yourself where you will spend eternity. G-d never forces anyone to accept Jesus as their Savior. He simply offers a warm invitation to anyone who wants to have their sins forgiven and go to Heaven. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15), paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19). We must accept God's gift of eternal life or it WILL be forever forfeited when we leave this world (die). Everyone knows their own physical birthday - but do you know when your spiritual birthday occurred? If you do not - you need to ask to be born again. Why do you need to be born again?

G-d commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:17, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Notice, G-d said they would die “the day that thou eatest thereof.” Interestingly, Adam and Eve DIDN'T die physically the day they ate the fruit and disobeyed G-d's command. But, they did die Spiritually! Rebellion and sin had entered the human race. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" Romans 5:12 The Bible teaches that from Adam until present time, mankind has been born spiritually dead, inherited down from Adam's sin. This is why humanity MUST be born-again. This is only possible through the Holy Spirit of G-d, which makes us alive again (quickeneth the Bible says) by faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. To be “spiritually” born means that G-d's Holy Spirit “quickens” (or makes alive) our dead spirit. When a sinner believes on the Lord Jesus as the Christ, trusting Him alone to forgive all sins— he/she is no longer to call any man "father" for G-d is now the believer's Father. In John 14:23 we read:.Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."

A true born again believer not only has G-d living in him/her but also they are living in G-d. In Romans 8:1-17 we read about life according to the Holy Spirit: " Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, G-d did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to G-d; it does not submit to G-d’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please G-d. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of G-d lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of G-d are the children of G-d. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are G-d’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of G-d and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be born again, here is a sample prayer request. Remember, that your saying a "special" prayer, or by your joining some church or prayer group will not save you. It is only by your personal repentance and by your trusting in Jesus' sacrifice that will save you from the second death. This suggested prayer is simply a way to acknowledge and thank G-d for freely providing you with Jess who died for the forgiveness of your sins. "Father in Heaven, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of eternal punishment. I know that no amount of good works and sacrifices that I could do will pay for my sins. But, I beleive that you sent your only begotten your Son Jesus Christ to die for me. Jesus took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. Please forgive me and come dwell within me and heal and save me and teach me how I should live! Change my whole life I pray! I trust you know what is bet for me! Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness and for your gift of eternal life! G-d I ask you to speak to me and remove all my doubts and unbelief. Thank you in Jesus name! Amen!"

Remember, G-d does the saving. All of it! It is very simple. You are a sinner. Therefore, unless you believe on Jesus Who died in your place, and personally accept Jesus sacrifice you will spend eternity in Hell. If you believe on Him as your crucified, buried, and risen Savior, you receive forgiveness for all of your sins and His gift of eternal salvation by faith. This is G-d's plan - believe on Jesus and receive Him as your personal Savior today.

The publican merely cried out, “G-d be merciful to me a sinner.” The thief on the cross simply asked Jesus to "remember" him, and Jesus most certainly did. It was their faith in Christ and not their words, that brought them salvation. Both men acknowledged their guilt of sin and turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. There is nothing “magic” about the words you pray, it is your faith (trust) upon Jesus Christ that brings salvation. It is your faith that causes you to call upon Jesus to forgive your sins and take you to Heaven. The Lord wants to save you more than you could ever want to be saved please read: 2nd Peter 3:9. Salvation is very simple—we are all sinners and Jesus is the only Savior. Anyone who believes on the name of Jesus for salvation becomes a part of G-d's family (Romans 10:13; Galatians 3:26). Eternal life is a free gift—freely given and freely received. Salvation is receiving; not giving. Our only part is to acknowledge our guilt, to repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven.


"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." —2nd Corinthians 5:17

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." —1st Peter 1:23

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

If you're born only once, then you will die TWICE; If you're born twice, then you will die only ONCE.