03 A New Birth Necessary
A New Birth Necessary "Marvel not that I said unto you: You must be born again." John 3:7 Our Lord was conversing with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; he had informed him, that unless a man is born again, he could not see the kingdom of God. This had filled him with surprise. He did not catch the Savior’s meaning. He therefore inquired, "How can these things be?" He was thinking of something natural — but the Lord meant something spiritual. He thought of a change of body — but Jesus meant a change of heart.
Many make mistakes on this point now. They either think that the new birth is not necessary — or they do not understand what it is. My friend, what are your thoughts on this subject? Have you ever thought much about it? Are you concerned about it now? It is of the greatest importance. It demands your immediate consideration. You cannot be justified in putting off the consideration of it for one hour. Your everlasting all is at stake. The destinies of eternity hang upon the events of time. You have delayed too long. Trifle no longer, I beseech you. Give your most serious attention to the subject at once. Jesus says, "You must be born again!" Who must? You must. This is true of every man, woman, and child who has sinned against God. A man may be moral. His conduct before men may be very consistent. He may be sober. He may be honest. He may be benevolent and kind. He may be religious, so far as the externals of Christianity are concerned. He may read his bible. He may attend the means of grace. He may contribute of his substance for the spread of the gospel. He may keep company with the saints. He may be a member of a church. But these things will not be admitted as a substitute for a change of heart. He must be born again. Amiable tempers. Correct conduct. Obliging manners. Attention to civil and religious duties — are all excellent in their place — but they are no title to Heaven. The new birth is indispensably necessary. It is universally necessary. The Savior speaks to the moral and the immoral — to the learned and the illiterate — to the religious and the irreligious — and he says, "Marvel not that I said unto you — you must be born again." Are you a young man — or a young woman? You must be born again. Are you in the prime of life? Or are you advanced in years! It matters not, you must be born again. But what is the change required? It is not an outward reformation — but an inward regeneration. It is not a change of conduct merely — but a change of nature. It is not a change of creed or opinion — but a change of heart. By your first birth you became a rational creature — by a second birth you must become a spiritual creature. The first birth is according to the course of nature, by which we become men; the second birth is by the power of the Holy Spirit, by which we become Christians. The first birth fits us to live in this world — but the second birth fits us to live in another and a better world.
You must be born again — or receive a new nature and live a new life. The change is very great, it is called a new creation, therefore of Christians it is said, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10. And again, "If any man is in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
It is said to be also a resurrection, thus our Savior speaks, "Truly, truly, I say unto you — the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live." John 5:25. All men by nature are dead in sin, dead to God; they feel no interest in spiritual things, nor any concern about them. They must be quickened by the Holy Spirit. They must be raised from this state of death. The Ephesians were, as Paul says, "And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience." Ephesians 2:1-2. So were the Colossians also, as we read, "And you, being dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh — has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses." Colossians 2:13. They are then spoken of as "risen with Christ," and as having their life hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3.
Now you must undergo this change, or you cannot enter into the kingdom of God. You must be "renewed in the spirit of your mind." You must receive the new heart, which God has promised. This will produce a radical change in your VIEWS. Your views . . .
of sin and holiness,
of the law and the gospel,
of the world and the Savior,
of God and yourself,
of earth and Heaven —
will all be quite new; and you will wonder that you had not seen things so before. Your FEELINGS also will undergo as great a change.
You will hate sin, and desire holiness.
You will turn from the world, and turn to the Savior.
You will fear Hell, and seek for Heaven. To you, a saving interest in Christ, and to enjoy communion with Christ, will appear to be "the one thing needful." You will . . .
read the bible with new eyes,
hear the gospel with new ears,
and taste a sweetness in the things of God, of which you formerly had no conception.
You will find yourself in a new world, surrounded with new objects! You will find your mind interested in, and taken up with, new subjects. Spiritual things will appear to be realities, and matters of the greatest importance. The beginning of this change is, in many, imperceptible. It often commences with a thought — then there is a desire — then prayer — then fear — then hope — then inward struggling — then faith — then joy and peace. But WHY is this change so necessary? Because by nature we are all totally depraved, our persons are wholly polluted. We are disqualified for holy employments, and holy enjoyments. We cannot perceive the beauty and excellence of divine things. We have no appetite for spiritual provision. We have no faith in God, or love to God, or desire for God. If we were in Heaven, we could not be happy. The presence of God would give us no joy. As soon may the fish enjoy being on the dry land, or the bird live in the depths of the sea, as for a sinner without a new birth, to enjoy the presence and perfections of God. We have no power for spiritual duties, or taste for spiritual pleasures — until we are born again. But if we must be born again, divine agency is necessary, therefore let us pray for it.
Deep concern should be felt, therefore let us encourage it.
Careful inquiry into our state should be made, therefore let us prosecute it.
Caution should be exercised, therefore let us not draw any hasty conclusions.
We must be born again or perish, therefore let nothing satisfy us but the well-founded persuasion that we are passed from death unto life.