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Response
The Bible uses various metaphors related to birth to illustrate the concept of having a redemptive connection with Jesus. It includes phrases like being born again «Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. », (John 3:3), born of God «which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. », (John 1:13), and born of the Spirit «That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. », (John 3:6). These expressions convey the same idea. Birth metaphors are employed because the process of physical birth is universally understood. Just as a new individual emerges into the world when a baby is born, a new spiritual life begins when we are born of the Spirit. As we mature, we start to resemble our heavenly Father «For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. », (Romans 8:29).
People attempt to comprehend God through various methods: some through religion or adherence to a moral standard; others through intellect or reasoning; some seek God in nature; and some through emotional encounters, believing that God dwells in the emotions they feel when contemplating Him. However, none of these approaches bring us closer to truly connecting with the God of the Bible because He cannot be understood through our ethical guidelines, intellect, surroundings, or emotions. He is.
Spirit, and those who would worship must worship “in spirit and in truth” «God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. », (John 4:24).
Imagine trying to paint a portrait using a hammer and nails or trying to bake a meal using pen and paper. It would not help to try harder or cry over it because both tasks are impossible given the tools mentioned. So it is with the flesh and the Spirit. We cannot commune with a holy, incorporeal Being using sinful, fleshly means. Unless our spirits are reborn with life from God’s Spirit, we simply do not have the capability to fellowship with Him. We must be born of the Spirit.
God has instituted a way for fallen human beings to enter His holy presence, and it is the only way we can come to Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6). When Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin «No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. », (John 10:18) and rose again, He opened a door that had been locked. When He died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in two, symbolizing the fact that He has made a way to enter God’s presence. God has opened the door to heaven so that whoever trusts in His Son’s sacrifice can be born again in his or her spirit «And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. », (Mark 15:38).
When we place our faith in the risen Christ, weAt the moment, a divine transaction takes place «For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.», (2 Corinthians 5:21). God removes from us the sin, guilt, and condemnation we deserved because of our rebellion against Him. He casts our sin as far as the east is from the west «As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.», (Psalm 103:12). When we repent and have faith, the Holy Spirit breathes new life into us, and our bodies become His temple «Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?», (1 Corinthians 3:16). Our spirits can now communicate with God’s Spirit as He confirms that we belong to Him «The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:», (Romans 8:16).
We might think of the human spirit like a deflated balloon that hangs lifeless inside our hearts. We are barely aware of its existence until God calls our names and an awakening begins. When we respond to God’s call with repentance and faith in what Jesus Christ has done for salvation, we are born of the Spirit. At that point, the balloon inflates. The Holy Spirit moves into our spirits and fills us. He starts His transforming work so that we start to resemble Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17;Romans 8:29).
There are only two types of people in the world: those who are born of the Spirit and those who are not. Ultimately, only those two categories matter «Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. », (John 3:3). Our earthly lives are extended opportunities for us to respond to God’s call and become born of the Spirit «while it is said, Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. », (Hebrews 3:15).
