There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews and he came to Jesus at night. Ordinarily when we go visit someone we go to them in the daytime. Now, we don’t know why Nicodemus went to Jesus at night. But, the main thing is that He did go to Jesus.

In Jesus’ response to him, He said, “You must be born again.” (John 3:1-7)

This conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus happened many years ago. But, Jesus’ words are still true and they apply to every human being.   Sometimes you may hear other words being used, such as: the new birth; conversion; regeneration or being saved.   These are all good words.   Words that you may have heard and know something about. But, have you been born again? Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ?

You may ask the question, “Why do I need to be born again?” There are several answers to this question.

First of all, Jesus who is truth and always tells the truth said: “You must be born again.”

Secondly, because of the sins of our first parents (Adam and Eve) all of mankind is born into this world as sinners – inheriting the sin nature from Adam. Because we have this nature within us we all commit sins.

The Bible has many words for sin; for example transgression, lawlessness and iniquity. Sin means that we have not kept the commandments of God. It means that we have “fallen short” of what a righteous and holy God requires for us to be in fellowship and right standing with Him.

So, we see that every person in the human race is born a sinner and needs to have their sins forgiven and be changed in order to be in right standing with God. Hence the words of Jesus Christ, “You must be born again.”

In response to Jesus’ words, Nicodemus asked: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” He wanted to understand what it meant to be “born again.” What is this new birth that Jesus said that a person must have in order to enter the kingdom of God?

It is important that we understand that the new birth is a spiritual work.   John 1:12 and 13 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name; Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

The new birth is not something that we can accomplish by doing good works. We cannot inherit the new birth through our parents or by “being good” or by going to church or being religious. Being born again is a supernatural work of God.

We read in John 3:6. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Being born again is when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins; He makes us uncomfortable in our sins and we are made aware that we have sinned against God.

In being born again there is a hearing of the Word of God – about our being separated from God, being sinners, and our need of a Savior. In the Gospel message we are made aware that God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to shed His blood; bear our sins and iniquities; endure the wrath of God on our behalf and pay the price for our sins on Calvary.

The Bible says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5, 6)

The power of God’s word preached, believed and received by faith has the power to bring about the new birth.

“It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)

A divine exchange happened at the Cross of Calvary: God placed on Jesus our sins and our iniquities. And, then, God imparts to us the righteousness of Christ.

“For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

And, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

You can be saved today. The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)