BORN AGAIN.  HOW?

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

JOHN 1:13 NKJV

who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Gospel of John is a straightforward approach to the writer’s subject.  It has a captivating prologue and concludes with the purpose of the writer.  John 20:31  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.  The subject, “Jesus is the Christ,” and the result of that faith is proclaimed, that “believing you may have life in His name.”

The prologue of the Gospel is of itself considered to be the cornerstone of Christology.  A careful reading of this statement should leave no doubt what the writer intends his readers to think about the one he names as the Word.

These verses are classic in literature.  They carry in them the divine power that persuades readers and hearers to an understanding of God’s revelation in Christ.

As the verses are read with this in mind there is the relationship of eternity and time.  He that is eternal and the author of all creation enters His creation.  History is pointed to this, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”  This history is the reality of man named John and a particular people who were relatives of the one who came.  “He came to His own kinsman.”

The writer who always has his purpose in view, “believing in Him” takes this occasion to explain how this comes about.  John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 

The writer, aware of the need, explains what “receiving” or “believing on Him” requires.  John 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  There is an experience needed that is radical that he will later explain it as being “born again”, a divine absolute, John 3:7  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.  The must in this verse is an indeclinable verb of absolute necessity.

John 1:13 states the requirement and then describes the author of this radical requirement.  He begins with the negative, “who were born, not”.  We are to be convinced that there are three means that are not to be considered.  It is not of human inheritance, not of the human will, ie. any works of the flesh, not of any sacramental activity such as circumcision, baptism, or any other sacerdotal activity.

Having ruled out every way this world has to offer; a man can’t inherit it, he can’t do it for himself, and no one can do it for him.  He names the single source that can do this, “but of God.”

This is the foundation of Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus in John 3.  Again in John 6:44.  Please read this with 6:29 and 6:35.  The writer has as his concern the Divine initiative.  A comparison of words will show that “receive”, “believe” and “come” all are the same act.  That is faith in the proffered object.

The gospel is the account of a sinner, who recognizes his condemnation, receiving Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection.  God forgives and receives this sinner on this condition alone.  Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Who then believes?  The one whose parents are Christians; no that has been ruled out.  The one who exercises his free will; no it is not him that wills, nor him that runs, but of God who shows mercy.”  Romans 9:16.  Perhaps then it is baptism or the sacraments of the church?  Paul in Galatians 6:15 has come to his conclusion and by this institution of circumcision used as a synecdoche (a part for the whole) denies the use of any sacrament.  Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

The preacher in Ecclesiastes sums this up for us very well,

“I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:14