The Mystery and Miracle of New Birth

Dear Weekly Readers!  God’s Peace!

When a person thinks about what is the very most important thing we could ever do in our life, what do you think that would be?  Is it not that our heart would be right with God, that our sins are washed away and forgiven?  We know judgment is coming.   Are we ready?  That is the most important issue of all.   Heaven or Hell, where is our final destination? How can I be assured Heaven awaits me?

There is hope!  The article below brings us right to this very point in a few short words! 

Please read carefully, and May God Bless your Week!  John R.

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, “Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they 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