p. 9 | YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN by A. G. D.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 20, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 41.

"YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN"

By A. G. D.

Divine Power Gives the Birth of the Spirit — The Carnal Nature Put Under Control — A Reformation That Is Regeneration

"JESUS answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.

There is no more important truth for men to know than the one set forth in these words of our Lord. It was to Nicodemus that Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus was one of the great men of the Jewish nation. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, a national council composed of seventy-one members, and constituting the highest body of council in the Jewish nation. This council had "charge over all matters pertaining to religion, and the different religious institutions." They judged the people, and gave decisions in matters of idolatry, heresy, blasphemy, etc.

In view of the great responsibilities assumed by the members of the Sanhedrin, they should have had a clear understanding of divine truth, and a rich personal experience in spiritual things. If they, the leaders, the teachers, the judges, knew not these things, what could be expected of the common people? They, like their teachers, would be bound by the cords of a dead formalism. And this was their terrible condition.

CHRIST STRUCK THE VITAL POINT

When Nicodemus came to Christ for that secret interview on matters of religion, Christ at once struck the vital point. He said, "Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus at once revealed the darkness of his mind. He 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?"

The Saviour explained that the birth of which He was speaking was not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. Said He, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh." The flesh is carnal, and is at enmity with God. It is not subject to His law, and it can not be. Said Paul, "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing."

This is why Christ declared, "Except one be born anew ["from above," margin], he can not see the kingdom of God." R. V. That which is born from above is born of the Spirit. The Spirit is from God. Said the Saviour, "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." It is spiritual, heavenly, not carnal and earthly. That which is born of the Holy Spirit is holy, and such may enter the kingdom.

"HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE?"

This seemed to be strange doctrine to Nicodemus; for he asked, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered, "Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things?" Nicodemus must have been well advanced in years. As a Pharisee, he professed great attainments in righteousness. As a member of the Sanhedrin, he assumed the responsibility of guiding the people in spiritual things. Yet this man, this master in Israel, seemed not to understand this vital truth regarding the new birth, the change of heart, which every one must experience before he can enter the kingdom of God.

THEIR JUDGMENT WARPED

This is a sufficient explanation as to why the Jews would not receive the Messiah. Their minds were darkened. Their judgment was warped. While they claimed to be in possession of the righteousness of God, they were ignorant of the means by which righteousness was obtained, and of its effects on the heart. This ignorance was inexcusable, for the Scriptures which they possessed told them plainly of the necessity of the new birth, and the means by which it is accomplished. Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5. To be born of water and of the Spirit is to be "born again." From this statement, it is seen that the Holy Spirit is an agency used by the Lord in producing this new or second birth. Birth implies life, and Paul says, "The Spirit giveth life." 2 Cor. 3:6. Man in his natural state is said to be "dead in trespasses and sins." Eph. 2:1.

A NEW HEART

The new birth resurrects man from this deadness in trespasses and sins. It quickens and enlivens the spiritual faculties. It gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and clothes the naked with the robe of Christ's righteousness. All this is wrought by giving the individual a new heart, and it is the Spirit of God that creates a new heart. The Lord says: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them." Eze 36:26, 27.

God promises to put His Spirit in the heart. That will regenerate the heart. It will make it new. And the result will be that the individual will walk in the statutes and judgments of God. This is the new birth, the life in Christ which the Saviour says every one must have before he can enter the kingdom of God.

THE SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH AN AGENT

The Spirit of God speaks to men through the word of God. Said Jesus, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63. And the apostle Peter, speaking of the means by which the new birth is wrought, says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23. The word of God was given to men by the Holy Spirit. It is therefore the word of the Spirit.

Both the word of the Spirit and the Spirit itself must be received into the heart of faith. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness." Rom. 10:10. "But without faith it is impossible to please" God. Paul says that we "receive the promise of the Spirit through faith," and by this means receive the blessing of Abraham. Gal. 3:14. The blessing of Abraham was the gift of righteousness. This was the new birth, which our Saviour said every one must experience in order to be saved.

THEY BECOME THE SONS OF GOD

Those who are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," have the right, or privilege, to become the sons of God. John 1:12, 13, margin. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God," and "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Rom. 8:14, 16. This is indeed a great privilege.

Reader, will you believe the words that God has spoken to you by His Holy Spirit? Will you open your heart by faith to receive the Holy Spirit? Will you consent to count all that you have hitherto counted gain, as loss, for Christ? Are you willing to be born from above, and begin life over again as a little child? If you will surrender all into the hands of Christ, He will, make you a vessel of honor for use here, and for His kingdom hereafter.