The term “born again” has been misused on both sides of the religious fence. On one hand, “born again” is sometimes used as a term of contempt, implying extremism, anti-intellectualism, and downright nuttiness. On the other hand, some folks sometimes use the statement that “I’m a born-again Christian” to imply that they are the only “real” Christians.

When some people ask you if ‘are born again’ they are wondering if you have had a Paul on the road to Damascus type of conversion like they did. If you imply that you are not born again.

Unfortunately the ‘traditional’ church has failed to address the topic of ‘born again.’ Today I am going to address the Biblical concept of being born again. “Born again” is a concept taught by Jesus himself and deserves to be used positively, humbly, reverently, and carefully.

Regardless of what you already think and how you feel about the term “born again” I am asking you this morning to listen with the same attitude that Nicodemus had when he went to Jesus.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a person committed to obeying all the laws of God, a man who daily practiced piety, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He recognized that Jesus was sent from God and he came to Jesus with an open mind and heart so Jesus could teach him the truth.

The very first thing Jesus said was,

“I tell you the truth,
no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born again.”

“How can a man be born again when he is old?”

Nicodemus asked.

Jesus’ answered,

“I tell you the truth,
no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to the spirit.”

What does it mean to be born again?

Jesus was explaining the importance of spiritual rebirth. You and I will not enter the kingdom of God by living better lives, but by being spiritually reborn. Spiritual rebirth is NOT a once in a life time event. Spiritual rebirth is a life long process of spiritual growing and maturing. Being born again begins with belief in Jesus Christ. It begins with the belief that

“God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Unfortunately for some people that is where it stops. These people try to protect themselves from their fears by putting their faith in something they do or have: good deeds, skill, intelligence, money or possessions. They live their lives on their terms.

Being born again is more than a profession of faith. It is a life long journey of confession and repentance. It is putting your trust and confidence in Jesus alone for salvation. It is recognizing the insufficiency of our own efforts to find salvation. It is putting Christ in charge or your present plans and your eternal destiny. It is, as we sang early, a life long journey of laying down your life. It is a life long request for God to change your heart.

The apostle Paul, for me best describes what it means to be born again.

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation;
the old has gone,
the new has come!”

Ephesians 4:22-32

“You were taught,
with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self,
created to be like God
in true righteousness and holiness.”

Paul tells us exactly what we must put off: falsehood, anger, unwholesome, bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Paul tells us exactly what we must put on: be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Being born again involves following the instruction that Paul set forth to the believers in Colosse.

Colossians 3:1-17

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Jesus said,

“I tell you the truth,
no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

In his book Moments for Pastor Robert Strand tells a story about a small village called Shimabuku in Okinawa, Japan. News correspondent Clarence W. Hall described the village like this: “We’d seen other Okinawan villages, uniformly down at the heels and despairing; by contrast this one shone like a diamond in a dung heap. Everywhere we were greeted by smiles and dignified bows. Proudly the old men showed us their spotless homes, their terraced fields, fertile and neat, their storehouses and granaries, and their prized sugar mill.”

Searching for answers as to why this one village was so different from all the rest, Hall uncovered an incredible story. Some 30 years before, an American missionary on his way to Japan had paused at Shimabuku. He stayed long enough to make two converts and leave them a Japanese translated Bible. These new converts, with only instructions to read the Bible and live by it, began sharing their faith with neighbors. Before long the whole town had accepted Christ and for 30 years had been following the Bible completely.

They had adopted the Ten Commandments as their legal code, the Sermon on the Mount as their guide in social conduct. In their schools they taught the Bible, and in their courts made decisions on what God’s Word said.

Hall noted that they managed to create a Christian democracy at its purest. The result was that there were no jails, no bars, no drunkenness, no divorce, and a high level of happiness. On leaving the town his jeep driver said, “So this is what comes out of only a Bible and a couple of guys who wanted to live like Jesus. Maybe we are using the wrong weapons to make this world over!”

Compare this story to George Carlin’s words about life in America.
"The paradox of history is that we spend more, but have less, we buy more enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied possessions, but reduced values."

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one night stands, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet to kill.

The time is now for us to learn from the Shimabuku people what it means to be born again, to be born of water and spirit time.

Being born again means that we willing change our outlook and priorities to reflect Christ instead of the world. Being born again means being transformed by the renewing of your heart and mind by the power of God’s Word and Spirit instead of conforming to the world. Being born again means being in this world for Christ not of the world.

“I tell you the truth
no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born again,
unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”