BORN FROM ABOVE

A conversation between Jesus and a well-respected religious ruler is one of the most significant passages in all of Scripture ... 

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” John 3:1-2

Unlike other Jewish leaders who sought to discredit Jesus, Nicodemus believed that He was sent by God and hoped to gain some spiritual insight. He put pride aside and sought a private interview. 

Seeing that this Pharisee's intent was pure, the Lord offered this brief but poignant word ... No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. (John 3:3)

Bewildered by Christ's statement, Nicodemus asked ... "How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!" (John 3:4)

Jesus' authoritative answer came ... Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:6-7)

In one short exchange, He swept away all that Nicodemus stood for and revealed the need to be 're-made' by the power of God.

It is the same with us ...

The phrase 'born again' (also translated as born from above) is the single most important edict concerning salvation. It represents the point at which you become a child of God through faith in His Son.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

This negates the idea that Christianity is merely something you add to your life ... nor is it something you 'do'. 

The 'new birth' is not baptism, confirmation, church membership, or some other religious rite of passage. The only way to be 'born again' is to receive Jesus Christ as Savior ... period.