The Mystery and Miracle of New Birth
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again” John 3:7
There are many mysteries and miracles recorded in the Bible.
The most important to our salvation is new birth, a spiritual birth through
Jesus Christ. The importance of new birth cannot be overstated.
Jesus said, “…except a man be
born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” John 3:3, and “…Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God” John 3:5
New birth is a mystery to those who have not experienced it.
Nicodemus, a learned member of the Jewish Sanhedrin asked Jesus, “…How
can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his
mother’s womb, and be born?” John 3:4. Likewise, in our fallen state, we
considered new birth a mystery.
We may have asked in our hearts, “How would it be possible
for such a wayward and self-willed person as I am to be so favored by God as to
experience new birth?” We may have even
seen and wondered how other hardhearted men had been miraculously broken and
converted to Christ.
New birth is a miracle to those of us who, by the grace of
God, have experienced it. We have felt
the calling of the Holy Spirit, convicting us of our sinfulness and felt the
burden of sin on our conscience. We have cried out with broken heart,
confessing and asking forgiveness and hearing a servant of God assuring us that
our sins are forgiven in Jesus’ Name and shed blood. WE have then felt a
miraculous release and a cleansing of the soul. Thus, while in our fallen state
we pondered the mystery of this new birth, we now marvel at the miracle.
The need for new birth is a subject which is avoided by most
people. It is most difficult for man to confront and confess his
sinfulness. Some view new birth as a
gradual transition or as a learning experience.
Others think that it can come about without repentance, confession, and
remission of sins.
The Bible teaches otherwise. It clearly states that there
must be a repentance or Godly sorrow for sin. Jesus said, “…except
ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”
Luke 13:3
Confession of sin is also vital. “If we confess our sins He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness”, 1 John 1:9
Also, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one
another, that ye may be healed” James 5:16.
Remission of sins must be received and believed. Jesus said to his
followers, “Whose soever sins ye remit, that are remitted
unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, that are retained” John
20:23.
In Romans we read “For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Romans
10:10
We have been given this great miracle of new birth and
salvation by our loving God who did not spare His only Son from the death
penalty for sin on our behalf. So then if we believe in Him we need not perish,
but have everlasting life.
May we thank and praise Him for this great personal gift and
remain faithful and obedient unto His Holy Word.
God’s Peace! Al Wuori
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