Regeneration: Born Again

Monday, June 7, 2010: John 3:3, 7

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Background: Jesus Christ was speaking to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

What can you not see if you’re not born again? You cannot see the Kingdom of God. Non-trivially, if you are, can you see it? Yes, because you are part of the Kingdom of God.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010: John 1:12–13

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Background: He came to His people, the Jews, who did not accept Him as Messiah.

How do those who accept Him as the One become children of God? This verse clearly states that these have been born of God, making them now His children. This carries the implication that if you are not born of God, you’re not His child.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Does everything change when you are born again? You become a new spiritual being, still wearing the body of flesh. But those who are regenerated know that things will never be the same again.

Thursday, June 10, 2010: Galatians 6:15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Is this difference between those who have the law and those who are lawless? No, it lumps both together as immaterial: what matters is being born again.

Friday, June 11, 2010: 1 Peter 1:22–23

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever

What is one consequence of being born of incorruptible seed? You love those who have the same faith.