"Except one be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God."
The kingdom of God is the rule of God over us. He created us in his image and we have tragically distorted it by our self-will.
It can only be restored by the repeated submission of our will to his, that follows the birth from above.
The word translated "again" or "anew" is literally "from above". It points to the source of the birth. God fathers this birth.
In the opening paragraph of the fourth gospel John distinguishes being born by the will of man from being born of God (vs.13).
Only the birth from above begins the new life that grows into the restoration of the image of God.
This is the restoration that each of us needs.
Understanding the birth from above is important because Jesus explained it.
"Except one be born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."-John 3:5.
The article "the" is not in the original. Its absence stresses the qualities of water and spirit. It is a birth of water and spirit.
Being born of water probably refers to being baptized. Both Jesus and the apostles taught that baptism has a place in our coming to God. See Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-4. It is tragic that some churches have virtually denied the place of baptism in conversion. It is equally tragic that other churches have overemphasized the place of baptism, making it into a "savior", powerless to save. Without being born of spirit, the one baptized is like a stillborn child.
To be born of spirit is an integral part of this birth from above. What is this? Jesus foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit and the work he would do." And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement." - John 16:8
It is the painful convicting of sin that is at the core of the birth from above. Only Jesus is righteous. He alone judged Satan. It is indeed painful to be shown our guilt and be humbled by it. But nothing less will lead us to surrender our self to God.
The convicting creates repentance toward God, a surrender to him. Jesus said we must become as a child to enter the kingdom ((Matthew 18:3 ). The travail of birth is indicated in Luke 16:16.
The authentic experience of repentance makes us willing to make countless subsequent surrenders and confessions of sin.
Receiving the work of the Spirit into our spirit opens the eyes of our hearts to see more and more our continued dependence upon Jesus' once for all death in our place. Jesus commanded, "Repent ye, and believe in the gospel."
Paul proclaimed the same. See Mark 1:15, Acts 20:21.
When we are convicted of our sin by the Holy Spirit, and rely upon righteous Jesus to save us,
we become willing to be baptized into his death and raised to a new life in him.
But we may resist the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us and bring us to surrender. "You do always resist the Holy Spirit, as your fathers did, so do you." -Acts 7:51 We may receive or resist his gracious call.
It appears that many in many churches have never received the birth from above. There is no thirsting for the word of life, no longing to grow into the Father's likeness. There is only attendance and participation in congregational programs. Prayers leave lives unchanged. The pride of life, rather than the light of life, is seen in our faces.
If we find ourselves still self-reliant, maneuvering, concealing, comparing ourselves to others, we probably have not received the birth from above. We are still lord of our own lives. It is our pride that blinds us to this. Paul wrote, "Try your own selves, whether you are in the faith: prove your own selves." -2 Corinthians 13:5a.
It is not too late for anyone who sees their life is still self-directed.
One of two thieves crucified beside Jesus surrendered his pride and self-will, and Jesus promised he would be with him in paradise. His death is sufficient to forgive anyone, whatever our sins.
How much of our life will we have left when we surrender ourselves to him?
If we surrender our heart, our self, to him, he creates for us a new heart that seeks to do the Father's will.
Thru the centuries, thousands have experienced this.
There is no other way to receive the Lord, no other way for his life to begin in ours.
It is not too late for anyone to receive the birth from above.
"And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."- Psalm 51:17
"When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture was changed with the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and my iniquity did I not hide: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin." - Psalm 32:3-5
"Today, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts." - Hebrews 4:7
"Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:29