Born Again

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. We realize that it takes a “new birth” to receive spiritually enlightened eyes. We can safely assume that Nicodemus’ life was in order according to the precepts of the old cove­nant, without understanding the “new birth.” He had a good con­science.

This is also the case in the new covenant. We enter into the right relationship to God by accepting His calling; however, this does not result in new life unless there is a new birth. The children of Israel’s exodus from Egypt is a clear illustration of this. They left with all their goods and gold, but their “hearts” clung to the food of the land and its gods. Psalm 105:37; Exodus 16:2-3; Acts 7:39-41.

In Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist says, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me . . . will bap­tize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John was the greatest in the old covenant; he also gave the greatest thing he could give: the for­giveness of sins (Luke 1:77) for the cleansing of the flesh. Hebrews 9:13. This was the “shadow” of the glory of the new covenant. 2 Corinthians 3:7-11; Colossians 2:17-18.

Once Jesus had finished the work of salvation, the Father could send the One whom He had promised, which was the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:33. Now God can draw all those who are willing to be saved to the Son. “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth.” James 1:18. Now we can “keep ourselves” so the evil one will not touch us. 1 John 5:18.

It is an easy matter to keep myself from something I do not desire; but to keep myself from the evil desires in the flesh is difficult. This can only be done through a “new birth”; then there is an end of the old things and everything becomes new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

After they had left Egypt, the children of Israel desired the evil. “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.” 1 Corinthians 10:6. A converted person can easily be caught off guard by an evil desire; but someone who is born again overcomes it. We consider ourselves dead (Romans 6:11), and our hearts are kept pure. We need to watch and pray, so that God can make both the temptation and its outcome so that we can bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13. Then no temptation will meet us unprepared.

It takes time for the new life to unfold. We receive more and more of a desire to do righteousness—to love those who are good and those who are evil. Then we are no longer the center of everything. We are preserved in humility because we sorrow that things are going so slowly.

“The wind blows where it wishes . . . so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8. Willing to yield, and completely set free from the spirit of discouragement we rejoice over our adoption as sons and over the preserving power of the new life.