What Does It Mean to Be "Born Again?"

 

 

Jesus declared the necessity of new birth when He told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Being born again means entering God’s Kingdom through a spiritual regeneration that transcends physical descent.

 

This new birth is not of flesh or blood but of Spirit. Jesus continued, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5–6). Additionally, John affirms that those who receive Christ become children of God, “born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12–13).

 

Scripture shows the mechanism of regeneration: “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures” (James 1:18). The new birth springs from the living and enduring Word of God, not from human effort or ceremony.

 

The evidence of being born again is seen in the life-giving relationship with Christ. John writes, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him” (1 John 5:1). Peter also teaches that believers are “born again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).

 

Moreover, this spiritual rebirth creates a new creation: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The born-again believer experiences a radical transformation of identity and purpose.

 

True regeneration also produces holy living. John affirms, “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9). A genuine new birth results in a nature that desires righteousness.

 

**Immediate Regeneration in the Flesh:**  

Believers are born again the moment they place faith in Christ, while still residing in a mortal body. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer upon hearing and believing the gospel, sealing and regenerating the heart (Ephesians 1:13). This present experience of new life enables us to walk by the Spirit now, exhibiting evidence of God’s work before the final resurrection.

 

**Future Realization at Resurrection:** 

While born again spiritually today, the fullness of this new birth is realized at Christ’s return when the dead in Christ are raised with spiritual bodies. Paul explains, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44). Likewise, we await the transformation when “our lowly body will be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). In that new body, we will fully partake in both the physical and spiritual realms in fellowship with our risen Lord.

 

Finally, the born-again life carries the assurance of eternal life: “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (1 John 5:11–12). New birth secures our place in God’s family for eternity.

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). To Him be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

 

 

 

Referenced Scriptures (LSB):

 

John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

 

John 3:5, “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’”

 

John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

 

John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”

 

John 1:13, “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

 

James 1:18, “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”

 

1 John 5:1, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.”

 

1 Peter 1:23, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

 

1 John 3:9, “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

 

Ephesians 1:13 - “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,”

 

1 Corinthians 15:44, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

 

Philippians 3:21, “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

 

1 John 5:11, “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”

 

1 John 5:12, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”

 

1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”