A second birth?
[This is Part 2 of the series What is the Purpose of Life?]
What does “born again” mean?
What does it have to do with our purpose in life?
Jesus introduced the idea of “born again” when Nicodemus visited Him one evening. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and prominent leader (John 3:1). The story begins with Nicodemus saying:
Jesus replied:
Puzzled or perhaps curious, Nicodemus pursued the subject:
Jesus’ reply gives us an interesting insight into a process that is so vital to our entry into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus was all the more at a loss (verse 9). This “born again” thing, apparently, was much too foreign to him. Jesus actually simplified the concept by using such ordinary, real life concept as the human childbirth. A close examination of Jesus’ straightforward explanation should help us appreciate the simplicity and beauty of His message. Let us look at verses 5-6 once again:
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
A child that is born of human parents is – just like his parents – human, composed of flesh and blood. I think there should be no problem figuring that one out. My children, just like me are flesh and blood. Your children just like you are flesh and blood.
In like manner, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit! If we are born of the spirit – if we are born again – then we would be spirit. We would be composed of spirit! Christ actually gave the example of wind to illustrate and clarify what He meant:
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Just like wind, a spirit-born person is invisible to human eye. You may sense its presence or movement but you cannot see it!
Now tie that up with the following passage:
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Isn’t that so clear?
Our corruptible, mortal physical body must be changed to incorruptible spirit “body”. It must put on incorruption. It must put on immortality in order for us to inherit and enter the kingdom of God. That means the change would make us spirit being – which is exactly what Christ was telling Nicodemus! That is how we are going to be born of the Spirit! That is how we would be born again!
Christ, Our Firstborn Brother
If you go a few verses back up I Corinthians 15, there is this key passage:
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Furthermore:
Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain [pioneer, forerunner] of their salvation perfect we through sufferings.
Notice the word “firstfruits” or firstling, “bringing many sons to glory” — God is in the process of bringing “many sons to glory”. Christ is the first to be resurrected from the dead:
That resurrection made Him our firstborn brother. This means we will be born in the SAME way. Our first, physical birth by our mother brought us into temporary physical existence. However, sure death awaits every one of us [Heb.9:27]. We must be born again – a second birth, if you please – and become spirit IF we are to live forever and make it to God’s kingdom AND inherit all things with Christ.
That simply is what the concept of “born again” is all about.
[Read also Part 3: Resurrection - Our Blessed Hope].