Born Twice

Born Twice?

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.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:1–8)

Nicodemus was undoubtedly a very bright man. He was a respected scholar who had studied the Scriptures for most of his life. But in this conversation, he was confused. Born again? Born of the Spirit? What was this young Teacher talking about?

According to Jesus, everyone needs to have two birthdays. We all get one, right? When we’re young we like everybody to remember it. Then when we get older, we’re hoping everyone forgets it! (Funny how that works.) But the truth is, the second birthday is just as important as the first. The first is for time, the second is for eternity.

But as it happens, this second birthday is one most people know very little about. And it is a birthday that is frequently confused with religion or good works or twelve steps or self-improvement plans. But if you read the Scripture carefully, you will discover that the new birth is nothing less than a miracle. It is an extremely important, supernatural work that takes place within the heart of a person when he or she comes into a relationship with God. The Bible calls that being born anew, being born again.

                                       David Jeremiah –God in You-