What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." — John 3:3, NIV What does it mean to be born again? Short answer. To be born again means God gives you a spiritual life you did not have before, not a resolution to try harder, but a rebirth by the Holy Spirit that changes what you love and whom you belong to. Jesus used the phrase with a religious leader named Nicodemus in John 3:3: unless someone is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God. It comes through faith in Christ's death and resurrection, not through good behavior or a religious upbringing. It is real, but it isn't always dramatic, the evidence usually shows up less in one unforgettable moment and more in a changed direction over months and years. A Pharisee, a night visit, and a play on words Nicodemus was not a skeptic looking for a fight. He was a Pharisee, 'Israel's teacher' (John 3:10), a man with a reputation to protect, which i...