Water and Wind

Overview

We said last week this is the most complete and comprehensive treatment in the Bible of the subject of the new birth, or what Jesus calls being born again. Quick review: Last week we, first of all, pointed out that Jesus shows us there is no other way to the Father than this. In verse 3, ‘Unless you’re born again, you can’t see the kingdom.’ In verse 5, ‘Unless you’re born again, you can’t enter the kingdom.’ In verse 7, ‘You must be born again.’ Jesus is repeatedly saying there is no possibility of any Christianity unless you’re born again.

The reason he does this is because he knows Nicodemus, as well as you and I, will want desperately to believe the new birth is an option and not a necessity. Because the language of the typical person (Nicodemus might have said this) would go like this, ‘The new birth sounds like a very powerful and wonderful experience. Doubtless it’s a helpful experience to those who have experienced it. However, I’m more low key. I’m a little different, you see. I’m more cautious. I am a little scared of religious fanaticism, and besides that, I believe everybody has to find God in his or her own way.’

That sounds so balanced, but Jesus will have none of it, because he knows it’s just another way of keeping control of your life. That’s the reason why he says it again and again and again, why he’s so abrupt, why he’s so blunt, and why he’s so painfully repetitive. ‘You must be born again.’

The second thing we saw last week, we began to look at the nature of the new birth. The second thing we learn here (and we’re going to look at it even more today) is what the new birth is. Last week we saw it is a supernatural act of God in which he takes the Holy Spirit and implants the Holy Spirit at the base of your heart, thereby giving your mind, your will, and your emotions, your entire being and your whole personality a whole new direction.