This is the most important subject in all of time and eternity, and yet there is sadly much confusion on what it means to be 'born again'.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:1-7
Nicodemus had spent his life dutifully doing the works that would grant him a right standing with God. Jesus instead speaks to the one condition by which this Pharisee can enter the Kingdom. He is saved not by his 'doing' ... but by his 'dying'.
This is the greatest need of sinful man ... to be 'born again'.
People mistakenly seek 'reformation' ... a new lease on life through following the Lord in their own strength. They faithfully go to church, take in religious teachings, fellowship with like-minded individuals, and earnestly seek to display their faith ... all to no avail. They have only 'added' pseudo-Christianity to their established, worldly existence.
'Reformation' is nothing more than the 'whitewashing' of lost souls.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27
It is not reformation, but regeneration, that is the distinguishing mark of the true believer. Being a Christian is more than merely saying you are one. You should be able to recall that moment in time when you reached out to God, confessed your need for a Savior, and surrendered your broken life to His Lordship.
It requires a death to take place. Bringing anything of the 'self-nature' into that encounter invalidates the effort. The 'newness of life' you seek can only be found in your kinship to Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection ...
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
It is our Lord's emphatic statement ... 'You must be born again'
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