A Change For The New Year

A new year has begun. For many, the new year brings about certain changes that they would like to see in their lives. It may be exercising more, eating healthier, reading more, or getting more organized. These are all very good things that deserve our attention, but I would like to talk about the greatest change that can ever be experienced by a person. That is the becoming a new person in Jesus Christ.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to get in better shape or learn more, but it does not compare to the work that Jesus Christ can do in a person’s life.

has been one of the most popular verses in all of the Bible. It has been used for centuries to point people to the amazing gift that God has given to the world. It can be seen on shirts and billboards, signs at football games, even scratched into the walls of a bathroom stall in gas stations. But to truly understand just all this wonderful verse holds, one must see the context in which it is used.

A Curious Conversation

John 3:1–3 CSB

There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.” Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John tells us about a conversation that Jesus had with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. This was a well-respected man in Jerusalem. He worshipped God and wanted to know all he could about the God he worshipped. He had some questions for Jesus and wanted answers.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Some have said that he did this because he didn’t want to be seen with Jesus. Others have stated that rabbis - which Jesus was considered - studied at night and this provided a good opportunity to have a conversation without distractions. Whatever the case, Jesus welcomed Nicodemus and his questions.

Aren’t you glad that you can come to Jesus with your questions? We all have questions that are weighing heavy on our hearts. It is good for us to notice that Jesus is one that welcomes our questions. He always has time for us and never sees them as a burden.

In verse 2, Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus must be from God because He could not do the things He was doing without God being with Him. Jesus cuts straight to the heart of the matter in verse 3 and says that unless a person is “born again,” they cannot see the kingdom of God.

This statement confused Nicodemus. How in the world can a person be “born again”? Sometimes the things that God says or does confuses us a little. We should follow Nicodemus’ example and ask for some clarification. God does not want us to wander in confusion.

What Does It Mean To Be “Born Again”?

John 3:5–7 CSB

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.

John 3:5

Jesus explains that to be “born again” means that one has been made alive by the Spirit of God. This means that it is something that God does in a person’s life. No one can do this on their own. While we may get ourselves to exercising more or eating healthier, we cannot do this spiritual work in our lives ourselves. It takes the Holy Spirit doing what only He can do.

Jesus explains that to be “born again” means that one has been made alive by the Spirit of God. This means that it is something that God does in a person’s life. No one can do this on their own. While we may get ourselves to exercising more or eating healthier, we cannot do this spiritual work in our lives ourselves. It takes the Holy Spirit doing what only He can do.

John 3:14

John 3:14–15 CSB

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Jesus continues to help Nicodemus understand by using an Old Testament example. Jesus talked about how Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness so that all who looked to it would be healed. Jesus shares that just as Moses lifted up an image of a snake so that people could be healed from the poisonous snakes around them, He would be lifted up so that all who look to Him by faith could be healed of the sin in their lives.

comes in to show us why God made a way for us to be born again = His unconditional love. It was solely because He chose to love us that He sent Jesus to pay for our sins. God didn’t just talk about love; He showed it.

John 3:16 CSB

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God’s purpose in sending Jesus was not to point an accusing finger at us, but God sent Jesus to bring us salvation (). This wonderful gift is available to any who would receive it.

John 3:17 CSB

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

While we may work to make different kind of changes in our lives this year, have we allowed God to do the greatest change of all - making us a new creation through faith in Jesus Christ? We can change our routines and eating habits in our own power but there is the reality that it would fail - like many New Year’s resolutions. When God does a change, it lasts for eternity.

If you have made that decision and have been “born again,” then the question for you is how has that decision affected the rest of the decisions that you make? We do not “accept Jesus” and then go on our merry way doing what we please. When we “accept Jesus,” we are made new and allow that decision to guide the rest of the decisions that we make.

tells us that anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God. When we come to December 31st, will the things we did be explained by what we did or what God did in and through us?

John 3:21 CSB

But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”