How can these things be?

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?”
(John 3:1-10).
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As the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus progressed, the Lord made it very clear and unambiguous that no one could see or enter the Kingdom of God without being born again. It was also clear that Nicodemus did not understand the concept of being born again. The Lord Jesus simplified His teaching on the new birth in verse 6:

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

The conclusion is that there is a physical or earthly birth, and a spiritual or heavenly birth. It is important to trace our beginning when God created man in His own image and likeness. This will help facilitate our understanding of what it means to be born again. Scripture tells us in Genesis 2:7

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

In creation, God breathed into the nostrils of man the breath of life and man became a living soul. God imparted His spirit into man, which enabled him to have a relationship and fellowship with God in the garden. When man disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, man died, as God had warned them, and lost the privilege of fellowship with the Spirit God. (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:8-11). Man lost his position and his privilege with God. Man died spiritually, and by choice, severed any relationship with God. Romans 5:12 declares:

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

In Adam all died and were separated from God, but in Christ all are made alive and reconciled with God, and a relationship and fellowship is restored. (2 Corinthians 15:21-22).

To be born again is the process by which a sinner acknowledges his guilt of sin and runs to Christ for forgiveness, by confessing his sins, and receiving Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord. (Romans 3:10, 23; 10:9-13). Once that process is completed by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, a man is said to be born again or born anew. He is born from above and said to be regenerated.

It is important to notice that the new birth is authenticated through water and the Spirit. Contrary to the teaching that the word “water” referred to in John 3:5 is baptism, I believe that water is symbolic of the word of God. We are born again by the word of God through the instrumentality of the Spirit who convinces and converts the sinner to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord.

1 Peter 1:23 says:
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

John 15:3 also states:
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

To the learned mind, this procedure of the new birth or salvation can be confusing because of the way one might have been raised to serve God, like Nicodemus. To others, the plan of salvation through the new birth seems too simplistic.

Nicodemus answered and said unto Him (Jesus): “HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE?” (John 3:9). There are many people today who question the veracity of the new birth. They ask, how can my sins be forgiven by simply being born again; by accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and Lord? The answer is simple – because Jesus says so. In John 3:3 & 5, Jesus categorically says:. “Truly, truly, except a man be born again, he cannot see nor enter the Kingdom of God.”

How can these things be? Thanks be to God! Jesus Christ has made salvation possible for all people who will believe, because He has fully paid for our sin debt in His own body on the tree. Yes, thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:18). Kindly also read 2 Peter 2:21-25.

May the Lord grant you the understanding of the new birth, that you might receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord. If by God’s grace you are already born again, then never stop thanking God for His unspeakable gift of His Son, and seek to live and walk in newness of life. Shalom.

OUR PRAYER
And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?

He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace! Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race

No condemnation now I dread, I am my Lord’s and He is mine, alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine.

CHORUS
Amazing love! How can it be – that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

(Hymn 44 – Baptist Great Hymns Of Faith).

Lord help us to cherish our salvation and be committed to your divine service. Amen.