Born twice

Everyone has gone to bed. It was getting late into the night, but I could not sleep. I had so many questions on my mind. “I think it’s time to visit that great Teacher”, I thought to myself as I put on a hat. I have heard so much about the Teacher and even seen him on several occasions teaching people. There was something striking about how he taught and composed himself.

Even though I have acquired so many degrees and worked my way to becoming one of the top leaders in my community, I constantly felt a strange emptiness and sadness. The last time I attempted to discuss this emptiness with one of my close friends and fellow leader, he just brushed it off and suggested I took a break from work and travel somewhere.

I reached out for a dark, hooded coat – to keep warm and disguise myself if needed. The leaders in my community have openly made negative remarks about this Teacher and did not recommend his teachings; so, I needed to be cautious about this visit.

I found Him in a temporary apartment, discussing with some of His special friends. As I approached Him, He gave me a knowing but welcoming look. “Great Teacher”, I greeted Him. “We have heard about your great teachings and how influential and powerful you are becoming”, I continued. The Great Teacher was not one to be moved by compliments.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

I wondered at that response. “What do you mean?” How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’’ And then He explained that there is a difference between being born once and being born a second time.

The first birth happens naturally when one is born into an earthly family. Everyone alive has been born this way. The second birth is when one is born into the family of God. It is a new, spiritual birth that can only happen through Jesus Christ. “….and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:25 – 27).

In essence, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Now the question is: have you experienced the second birth? “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9 – 10).