“The Born-Again Factor”
John 3:1-21
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [John 3:11]
The Gospel of John is a bit different from the others. John recorded no parables; he chose seven miracles to highlight [called “signs”]; there is no record of casting out demons or cleansing lepers. Out of the seven signs mentioned, six do not appear in Luke; and five do not appear in Matthew and Mark.
John selectively recorded a lengthy Upper Room Discourse in John 14-17. He uniquely recorded seven “I am” declarations that relate to the signs. For instance, after feeding the five thousand, only John recorded the “I am the bread of life” teaching [ref. John 6:22-59]. Just before raising Lazarus from the dead [ref. John 11:38-44], only John recorded the “I am the resurrection and the life” teaching [ref. John 11:25]. These were clear claims of deity.
One of the most important discourses in the Bible, and unique to John’s Gospel, is John 3:1-21. It is the message on being “born again.” Jesus emphatically stated it necessary to be “born again.” There is no ambiguity in His words: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Imagine if we did not have these defining “red-lettered” words. While there are other Scriptures referring to this [i.e., Jer 31:31-34; Zech 4:6; Lk 3:16, etc.] none are as clear as John 3:5, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Without John 3, our understanding of receiving eternal life would be greatly diminished. That is why the Gospel of John, and particularly this passage, is important to understand.
What does it mean to be “born again”? It means to be born of the Spirit of God. “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” [John 3:6]
The result is eternal life. You must be “born again” of the Spirit of God to see and enter the kingdom of God. It is vitally important that we understand this!
Being born-again has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with a relationship with God. And that comes by way of receiving Jesus as Lord.
Jesus is the born-again factor, and you can become born-again by asking Him to forgive of your sins and be your personal Lord.
When you do that the Spirit of God is birthed in you, and you are secured for heaven.
