Great Themes of the Bible
BORN AGAIN
[: Is plain from the discussion between Nicodemus and
Jesus Christ (fohn itt. 1-12) that Nicodemus expected the kingdom of heaven, that is, the kingdom of the Messiah, now shortly to appear; is betimes aware of the dawning of that day; and, according to the common notion of the Jews, he expects it to appear in external pomp and power. He doubts not but that this Jesus who works such miracles, is either the Messiah or his prophet. Therefore he makes his court to Him, compliments Him, and so hopes to secure a share to himself of the advantages of that kingdom.
1. THE NEcEssITy OF A NEw BIRTH But Christ tells him that he can have no benefit by that change of the state unless there can be a change of the spirit, of the principles and dispositions, equivalent to a new birth. The matter is settled irreversibly, that "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". That is a fact even for a Pharisee, though a master of Israel.
What is it that is required? To be born again, which means: (a) We must live a new life. To be born again is to begin anew, as those that have hitherto lived either much amiss, or to little purpose. We must not think to patch up the old building, but begin from the foundation.
(b) We must have a new nature, new principles, new affections, new aims. We must be born both anew and from above. By our first birth we were corrupt, shapen in sin and iniquity. We must therefore undergo a second birth. Our souls must be fashioned and enlivened anew. But also this new birth has its rise from heaven (John i. 13) and its tendency to heaven. It is to be born to a divine and heavenly life, a life of communion with God and the upper world. For this purpose, it has to partake of a divine nature and bear the image of the heavenly.
2. CONDITION OF ENTRY INTO Gop's KINGDOM Being born again is indispensible to membership of Christ's kingdom. "Except a man"' (anyone that partakes of the human