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When my wife accepted Christ and was saved, she excitedly told her sister. Her sister said, “Oh, my God. Don’t tell me you are one of those born again people.” Needless to say, I pray for her sister a lot.  Scripture tells us that to unbelievers, the Gospel is foolish but to others, it has the power to save souls!! Yes, born again. Praise God I’m born again!

Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John 3:3. Nicodemus was leader in the Jewish community. We can learn some good traits ABOUT Nicodemus. What were his strengths? He was one of the few religious leaders who believed in Jesus. He was a member of the powerful Jewish high council. He was a Pharisee who was attracted by Jesus’ character and miracles. Nicodemus also joined with Joseph of Arimathea in burying Jesus. However, he had a weakness and that was that he was limited by his fear of being publicly exposed as Jesus’ follower.

We can also learn some lessons FROM Nicodemus. The primary thing we learn is that unless we are born again, we can never be part of the Kingdom of God. We learn through Nicodemus’ questioning Jesus that God is able to change those we might consider unreachable. I mean, Nicodemus was a high ranking Pharisee!! He was “unreachable”. NOT! But we see that by God’s moving on Nicodemus. God is patient and persistent. We learn, like Nicodemus, that if we are available, God can and will use us.

What did Nicodemus know about the Kingdom? He knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God’s people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the Kingdom would come to the whole world, not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus wouldn’t be a part of it unless he was personally born again. This was a revolutionary concept: The Kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God’s Kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers.

When we become born again, we are starting our journey with Christ. If you want to follow Christ, you must “turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized.” To turn from sin means to repent, changing the direction of your life from selfishness and rebellion against God’s laws. “Repent” means to “return to the top”. We have to make every possible effort to turn away from the sin in our life and follow Jesus. Sounds easy enough but as we all know, things get harder when we follow Christ. The closer our walk with Him becomes, the more aware of our sins we become. The more aware we become, the more realize what He did for us!! At the same time, you must turn to Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and purpose. We cannot save ourselves—only God can save us. Baptism identifies us with Christ and with the community of believers. It is a condition of discipleship and a sign of faith.

Once a person is born again, they want others to have the ‘gift of life’ as well! God didn’t intend for us to “get born again” and that would be it! If that was the case, once He saved us, He’d pull out His big ‘holy hammer’, tap us on the head, and bring us ‘home’. No, He wants us to tell others about Jesus and how they too can be born again.

- - - Mr. Joseph Mcklemurry received his Masters in Biblical Studies with Trinity Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana and is an ordained minister serving as a praise and worship leader with Beautiful Feet Church in Fort Worth, Texas.