Born of the Spirit: Unpacking Jesus' Words to Nicodemus
When Religion Meets Revelation
When Nicodemus approached Jesus under cover of darkness, he came as a religious leader, confident in his standing. What he received was a profound challenge to everything he thought he knew about relating to God.
"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," Jesus told him in John 3:3.
This statement confused Nicodemus, who could only think in physical terms: "How can a man be born when he is old?" But Jesus was pointing to something far more profound—a spiritual rebirth that transforms a person from the inside out.
The Invitational Nature of Grace
One common misunderstanding about spiritual rebirth is the order of regeneration and faith. Some teach that God must regenerate you before you can believe—that spiritual rebirth must precede faith. But is this what Jesus was teaching?
When we examine Scripture carefully, we find that God's grace is invitational, not irresistible. Throughout the Bible, God extends invitations to respond:
- In Deuteronomy 30:19, people were told to "choose life"
- In Joshua 24:15, Joshua challenged the people to "choose you this day whom ye will serve"
- In Isaiah 55:1, God calls "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters"
These invitations would be meaningless if people were unable to respond. God created us with the capacity to respond to His grace, even as unregenerate sinners.
What Does "Dead in Trespasses" Really Mean?
In Ephesians 2 and Colossians 2, Paul describes us as being "dead in trespasses and sins." This doesn't mean we're unable to respond to spiritual stimuli. Rather, it means we're spiritually separated from God, under the legitimate claim of the law, and guilty with a sin debt we cannot pay.
Spiritual death is about separation from God, not an inability to respond to God's invitation. That's why even after sin entered the world, Adam could still hear God's voice and respond to Him in the garden.
The Kingdoms Within and Without
Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again to "see" and "enter" the Kingdom of God. He was speaking of a present spiritual reality—the kingdom within—and a future manifestation when Christ returns.
When we trust Christ, we are immediately "translated into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Colossians 1:13), though we cannot yet see it with physical eyes. One day, when Christ returns, the spiritual Kingdom of God and the physical Kingdom of Heaven will merge, and we'll both see and enter the fullness of God's kingdom.
What Happens When You're Born Again?
Spiritual rebirth involves several distinct but connected realities:
- Justification - God legally declares us righteous based on Christ's work
- Regeneration - God gives us new spiritual life
- Sanctification - God sets us apart for His purposes
- Translation - God transfers us into His spiritual kingdom
Each of these aspects represents the richness of what happens when someone truly trusts in Christ.
Why This Matters Today
Understanding that God invites us to respond—rather than forcing His will upon us—reveals His true character. He doesn't offer disingenuous invitations that we're incapable of accepting. Instead, He honors the free will He gave us while providing everything we need for salvation.
The gospel is powerful enough to prick the hearts of unregenerate sinners and elicit a genuine response of faith. That's why Jesus told us to preach it to everyone!
🔍 Dig Deeper Into Scripture 📖
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Our verse-by-verse Bible teaching ministry is dedicated to helping you grow in your understanding of Scripture through faithful expository preaching of God's Word.