John: Born Again

Sometimes people need to learn the first principles of God's kingdom. That was the case with Nicodemus. Jesus had to show him that a new beginning is necessary and possible. It involves being cleansed from our sin through faith in Jesus made sin and slain on the cross for us; just as people in Moses' day were healed from their poison through looking at the snake nailed to the pole. It is also new life - the very Spirit of the living God entering the human soul. Then our hostility to God is replaced with love for him and his own character in our life. This cleansing 'by water and the Spirit' comes from heaven not from our own efforts - truly a 'new birth'. Its importance is seen in the fact that we are condemned for our sin unless and until we believe in the God-given Saviour; while believing in him results in life from the dead.