Without spiritual regeneration, entry into God’s kingdom stays elusive. Because when God saves a person, He renews their minds, hearts, and souls. This transformation is His new creation and worthy of heaven.
But what does regeneration mean?
First, one must understand sin. It’s important to realize when Adam and Eve sinned, it changed the way God interacts with humanity (Genesis 3:16-19). They disobeyed His commandment (Genesis 2:17) and for this reason, we too suffer under sin’s bondage (Romans 5:12).
Yet God loves humans and provided us with a way of repentance (Genesis 3:22). In the Old Testament, He chose prophets as messengers. They conveyed to His people precise commandments on how to turn from sin and back into His grace.
The interesting part of the Old Testament times is how God continued showing patience. He never stopped giving them instructions on His preferred method of worship. But their disobedience forced a change in His salvation plan. And now believers must profess His Son Jesus Christ as entrance into heaven (Romans 10:9).
With that said, regeneration starts with Christ. Being born again converts sinners into sanctified followers of God. It’s the baptism of the Holy Spirit anointed by Jesus. From this christening, our new creation with God materializes.
Christ’s Regeneration Perspective
Let’s connect with Christ’s relevant teachings on this significant truth. In John’s Gospel, he highlighted Jesus’ rebirth blueprint. It’s found in Chapter 3 when Christ answered Nicodemus’ question of why God gave Him extraordinary power.
Our Lord’s first revelation was:
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
This truth confused Nicodemus because his mind focused on physical conception instead of spiritual consciousness. He responded with doubt and missed Jesus’s emphasis on seeing God’s kingdom (John 3:4).
Christ, then clarified His directive:
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8
As shown above, regeneration is a baptism of both water and the Holy Spirit. First, Jesus Christ declared one must be born in water. Then announced a spiritual awakening. He went on and distinguish the separation between salvation and disbelief. And the last part shows faith.
God appointed John the Baptist as the minister of water christening (Matthew 3:11). He affirmed Christ’s arrival. After Jesus received John’s baptism, God’s Spirit surfaced (Matthew 3:13-17).
Even though the Messiah reemphasized Christian rebirth, Nicodemus couldn’t fathom its holy wisdom (John 3:9). But Christ seized the opportunity and exposed his unsaved soul (John 3:10-12).
Jesus Reveals His Sonship
Next, Jesus unveiled His true identity. Here’s why that’s important: it showed He is God’s Son by describing His delivery from heaven and ascension back to the Father. He then presented Nicodemus with His Deity (John 3:13-15).
Another answer Jesus provided is:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17
Here’s something we both can agree on is God wants salvation for all people. Yes, this heightens God’s love. Our Lord wishes everyone hears His calling. Do you see how huge this is?
The remaining four verses (John 3:18-21), illustrate why God made spiritual regeneration a key to His kingdom. These scriptures uncover the reward for proclaiming Christ as His Son and God’s wrath. They unravel holiness versus evilness. And as believers, the Holy Spirit vindicates our understanding of this truth.
Given these points, becoming God’s new creation is a necessity. Without a spiritual rebirth, we can’t recognize good from evil. Remember, Christ is the Savior and gives light to loyal followers of God (John 1:4-5).
What does regeneration mean to you?
Sin brought about ‘spiritual death’. That death is now passed through mankind, therefore we need to be ‘born anew’ (begotten from above). When Christ comes in we come alive. Christ’s life (by His Spirit) is now present in the repentant, faithful man/woman. We are made alive ‘in HIm’, Ephesians 2:1, etc.
His indwelling life becomes our unlimited resource drawn from His limitless supply ‘rivers of living waters’. “Filled with the Spirit”, “walking in the Spirit”, is our new condition by continually making our daily circumstance available to Him.
The concept is as deep as the ocean, yet as real as the ocean itself.
Thanks, PopSeal, for allowing me to witness your faith in Christ. Yes, you speak the truth. Indeed unless God saves me by the “anew” reality, I’m still outside His kingdom and not in Christ. GBY my friend.