The “I’m Coming Back” Series: You Must Be Born Again

The “I’m Coming Back” Series: You Must Be Born Again

Jesus made four statements we want to be sure not to miss:

1. I am coming back
2. Only a few
3. You must be born again
4. Here matters there

Today: You must be born again

I must admit right away that I use to disdain this term. Way back in my teenage years, there was a “One Way” movement at which I bristled, badly and defiantly. I think I bristled because those who were holding up that “One Way” one finger were not like me. They were not athletic, for the most part, and for the most part they were, okay, let’s be blunt, kind of nerdy.

There, I said it. They had this glazed-over look in their eyes, and their smile seemed to be a façade. Of course, no doubt the main reason I abhorred “Born Again” is because I wasn’t, and I did not understand what it really meant, and, I was an ignorant, Self-focused knucklehead.

There, I said that, too!

But in June of 1995 I was born again, and suddenly, with the kind of clarity only a born-again conversion can reveal, I understood what Jesus meant when he said to Nicodemus,

“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:7)

Jesus came into my life while reading Mere Christianity on the back deck of my home on, are you ready, Victory Avenue. (My Shakespeare friend Tommy loves to point out the irony in that.)

I had been in church all my life. I had memorized both Catechisms, and even read the Bible twice. But I had missed it. Actually, I had missed him.

So why did Jesus use this “unpleasant” term? He explains this to Nicodemus,

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born
of water and the Spirit.  6  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to
spirit.  7  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
(John 3:6-7)

Jesus is saying that one birth is not enough. Nicodemus was born a Jew – God’s chosen people. If anyone is getting in, it’s Nicodemus. After all, he was the Pharisee of Pharisees. His resume was squeaky clean, with top-level performance.

Jesus, knowing this, was telling Nicodemus, “If you think being born a Jew is your ticket to heaven, then understand, that won’t do it. If your birthright is your ticket, then you must have another birth-right. You must be born … again.

And so must you.

How to? Surrender. Surrender your Self. We don’t “make a decision for Christ.” We don’t “accept him.” No! We fall on our knees and surrender to the one true King.

Have you?

Next Week: You Must be Born Again to live in the Kingdom … now.

If you want a little more:

On that June day in 1995 there was no choir of angels. I did not fall out, flailing about in tears. Although I have cried many times since. One of the sure signs that Jesus has moved into a man’s heart is that his heart softens, and he cries often. That day I simply felt a shift inside. But not just a warm and fuzzy feeling. No, more like a plate-tectonics shift.

And I knew I would never be the same again. To be sure, I had no clue what was next, but I had this penetrating thought, “Yes, Jesus is the Son of God, and yes, he did walk this earth, and yes, he was crucified and resurrected. All facts I had known. But I don’t know him, not personally. Not as a real person. From this point on I will make it my goal in life to get to know him.”