In John 3:1-8 Jesus discusses one of the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith: regeneration, or spiritual birth. Without being "born again" in a spiritual sense, a person cannot become a part of God's kingdom. This means that a person's life must be spiritually renewed in order to be spiritually saved and to receive God's gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. The following are important facts about spiritual birth and renewal.
Regeneration, or spiritual birth, is an inward re-creating of a person spiritually - a life transformation (total change or remaking of the person's attitude, thinking and actions) that occurs from the inside out (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23-24). It is a work of the Holy Spirit; and through this work of transformation, God passes on His gift of eternal life. It marks the beginning of a new and personal relationship with God for those who yield their lives to Christ. Spiritual birth is the way a person becomes a child of God and a "new creation". A person who is born again spiritually will no longer conform or live according to the character and influence of the ungodly beliefs, behaviors and lifestyles of the world (Rom. 12:2). Instead, he or she is "created to be like God n true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:24).
Spiritual birth is necessary because all people, apart from Christ are sinful by nature from birth. On our own, we are not capable of having a close personal relationship with God. Without the life-transforming power of His Holy Spirit, we could not continue to obey and please God.
Spiritual birth happens to those wh repent of sin, turn to God and yield control of their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord - the Forgiver of their sins and Leader of their lives. Though spiritual rebirth is an immediate experience that takes place as soon as a person truly repents and accepts God's forgiveness, God continually renews and transforms a Christian's mind (Rom. 12:2) and inner being (Eph. 4:23). This spiritual renewal is an on-going, "day-to-day" process (2 Co. 4:16).
Spiritual birth involves a transition, or complete change, from an old life of sin to a new life of obedience to Jesus Christ. This means that there should be noticeable changes in a Christian's attitude and lifestyle. They receive a renewed attitude and desire to obey God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. By depending on Him, they do what is right by God's standards, they avoid things that defy and displease God and they do not set their affections on temporary, worldly things (1 John 2:15-16).
Those who are born again spiritually cannot continue to sin. They cannot remain in a right personal relationship with God unless they earnestly pursue God's purposes and carefully avoid evil (1 John 1:5-7). This is possible only by relying on God's grace, by maintaining a strong and growing relationship with Christ and by depending on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:2-14).
It does not matter how spiritual a person may talk, seem or claim to be, if he or she lives by principles that are immoral and follow the ways of the world, the person's conduct shows that there is no spiritual life within and that he or she is instead living like a child of the devil (1 John 3:6-10).
A person can also forfeit, or lose, their born again status by making foolish, selfish and ungodly choices and by refusing to trust God. As a result, he or she will miss out on the life God offers and will die spiritually. God's Word warns, "if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die" (Romans 8:13).
Even as believers, if we continue on the path of sin and refuse to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can put out the light of God's life in our soul and lose our place in God's kingdom.
The Father/child relationship that God desires with us is voluntary; and we can choose to walk away or deny it during our time on earth. Our relationship with God is conditional and depend on our ongoing faith in Christ that is shown by lives of obedience and genuine love for Him (Rom. 8:12-14; 2 Ti. 2:12).
Spiritual birth, or regeneration brings: spiritual cleansing; the indwelling of God's Spirit, transformation into a new creation in Christ, adoption as God's spiritual child, the Holy Spirit's guidance and understanding of spiritual things, the ability to live right by God's standards and to develop His character traits, victory over sin, and an eternal inheritance with Christ.
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