“Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:3

Beloved ones,

That question of simple appearance should in principle attract an unequivocal reply. And yet, should you ask Christians, you will realize how complex and sensitive it is. Some will actually be shocked to hear you ask them that question to the point that they will desire not to respond to it. For those who will show some willingness to reply to it, they are likely to shock you as well. And yet, as we know, being born again is the ultimate evidence of our salvation, our conversion and our belonging to Christ.

Our reference verse is Jesus-Christ’s reply to Nicodemus, an eminent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who went to see him by night to learn more about him. So troubled was he by Jesus’ answer that he naively asked “How can a man be born again when he is already old?” It is obvious that Nicodemus did not understand the meaning of the new birth and Jesus had to explain it to him before he could understand.

Beloved one, the phrase “being born again” literally means “being born from above”. It is an interior change, a spiritual transformation, a birth from “water and spirit”, and therefore from an entirely new spring. For “that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit”. It is therefore a personal encounter and experience with God which results in a radical transformation that moves man from his carnal nature to the spiritual one, the only one that likens us to Jesus. Paul was therefore right when he said: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor. 5:17).

Unfortunately, many have skipped that key stage of our walk with the Lord and rushed into most high responsibilities in churches. Others spent many years in church without experiencing new birth and wrongly believe that attending church services will turn them into saints. Therefore, as a result of lack of new birth, our churches are filled with improved or “painted” brethren who we wrongly call “Christians”.

Therefore beloved one, are you born again?