To be a born again Christian means that you have made a conscious decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and commit your life to following Him. It refers to a transformative spiritual rebirth experienced by someone who comes to faith in Christ. Here is an in-depth look at the biblical foundation and meaning of what it means to be born again:
1. The Origin of Being “Born Again”
The term “born again” comes directly from Scripture – John 3:3. Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” To be born again or born from above means to have a spiritual rebirth in Christ.
This conversation occurred when Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus at night with questions. Jesus told him that one must be born of the Spirit in order to enter God’s kingdom. Just as we are physically born, we must also be spiritually born if we want to become children of God and be reconciled to Him (John 3:5-7).
2. It’s a Supernatural Rebirth
Being born again is a supernatural, spiritual birth that can only be done by God. We do not produce this new birth ourselves – it is the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8). Just as we cannot cause our physical birth, we cannot cause our spiritual birth. It is an act of God by which we become new creations when we place our faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This new birth comes when we repent of our sins and believe the gospel. We turn from sin and turn to follow Christ in faith. The Holy Spirit then comes to live within us and gives us new life in Christ. Through the new birth, we receive eternal life and become children of God (John 1:12-13).
3. It Means Becoming a New Creation
As mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17, when we are born again, we become an entirely new creation. Our sinful nature is replaced with a divine nature as the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. Old things have passed away, and we are made completely new spiritually.
Though we were once dead in sin, when we are born again, we become alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). The old is gone, the new has come. This new life will result in changes to our thoughts, behaviors, character, desires, and purpose. The change will be evident as we begin to obey God’s Word and are led by the Spirit.
4. It Leads to Eternal Life
Being born again means we receive eternal life as children of God. 1 John 5:11-12 declares that God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in Christ alone. When we are reborn spiritually, we pass from death to life – from separation from God to union with Him (1 John 5:12, John 5:24).
Eternal life begins not just when we die, but immediately at the new birth. All who are born again have their names written in the book of life and will inherit the kingdom of God (Revelation 3:5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Eternal life starts now and continues forever with Christ.
5. It’s Necessary to Enter God’s Kingdom
In John 3, Jesus made it clear – unless one is born again, he cannot see or enter the kingdom of God. No one gains access to God’s kingdom on their own merits. We must be transformed spiritually through new birth in order to be part of His kingdom.
Those who have not trusted in Christ for salvation and been made new remain outside God’s kingdom. But those who are reborn in Him become citizens of His kingdom that will endure for eternity. They have passed from death to life and have fellowship now with God.
6. How Does One Become Born Again?
You may be wondering how one becomes born again since we cannot produce our spiritual rebirth on our own. The wonderful news is that this new birth is instantaneous when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. To be born again:
– We must confess our sins and need for a Savior (1 John 1:9, Romans 3:23).
– We must believe that Christ died to pay for our sins and rose again, proving He is the Son of God (John 3:16, Romans 10:9).
– We must receive Christ and trust in His finished work on the cross to save us (John 1:12, Ephesians 2:8-9).
– We must surrender our life to follow Jesus as our Lord from now on (Luke 9:23, Acts 2:38).
When you make this decision to place all your faith in Jesus alone for salvation, you are instantly reborn! You become a new creation as God adopts you into His family and sends His Spirit to dwell in you.
7. What is the Evidence of Being Born Again?
How do you know if you’ve truly been born again? Here are some visible fruits that provide evidence one has experienced the new birth:
– Growing love and obedience to God’s commands (1 John 5:3, John 14:15)
– Desire to pray, worship, and read God’s Word (Philippians 3:7-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
– Distaste for sinful lifestyles and past sins (1 John 3:4-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
– Love for other Christians and pursuit of fellowship (1 John 3:14, Hebrews 10:24-25)
– Sharing your faith and making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8)
– Bearing spiritual fruit such as joy, peace, patience, etc (Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:8-9)
8. It’s a Life-Long Process
While being born again happens in an instant when we first savingly believe in the gospel, it also initiates a new way of life. We are to then grow up and mature as new creations in Christ. This lifelong process of being sanctified is known as progressive sanctification.
Through obeying Christ, confession of sins, renewing our minds in Scripture, and the Spirit’s work, we grow to be more like Jesus. We increasingly live out our new identity in Him. Born again believers are all at different stages of spiritual maturity, but the evidence of being born again is a life devoted to pursuing holiness (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:14-16).
Our new life in Christ will have ups and downs, but the Spirit remains at work in us. Our full transformation into sinless perfection awaits glorification when Christ returns (1 John 3:2-3). But while on earth, born again believers are to progressively grow in obedience as new creations.
9. It Brings Assurance of Salvation
The Bible gives born again Christians assurance that they belong to God. Scripture says we can know we have eternal life and are God’s children if we have been born of Him (1 John 5:13). The Spirit within us testifies that we are in Christ and heirs with Him (Romans 8:15-17).
Because this new birth is entirely God’s work in us, we can have confidence of our salvation. Our place in God’s family is secure since we have been transformed by Him to new life. We can be assured that just as we did not cause our physical birth, neither can anything or anyone prevent our spiritual rebirth. We have been born again by God’s power and for His glory.
10. It Results in a New Family
When you become a born again Christian, you are adopted into God’s family. You become a child of God and a joint heir with Christ (Galatians 3:26, Romans 8:15-17). You also gain countless brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. All born again believers are united together in the body of Christ as the family of God.
Because we share the same Father and have experienced new birth by the same Spirit, we now have a spiritual family on earth we can fellowship with. This new family of believers is united in pursuing Christ together with eternity in view. We have a common bond and shared identity that transcends all differences.
Conclusion
Becoming born again revolutionizes your life now and forever. You are saved from sin for eternal life, become a new creation spiritually, and gain an entirely new family. This spiritual rebirth is necessary to see and enter God’s kingdom and results in a transformation that will impact every area of your life.
If you have never trusted in Christ’s work on the cross for salvation, then you can be born again today! Repent and believe the gospel. When you make that decision to follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you pass from death to life – from separation from God to union with Him forever. Being born again initiates an eternal relationship with your Creator that shapes your identity, purpose, and eternity.