Understanding the importance of regeneration is necessary in order to distinguish between true and false teaching. The Bible teaches plainly that there is no other way of becoming a Christian except through regeneration (the new birth).
As Nicodemus came to Jesus under the cover of darkness, the Lord told him: “Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” John 3:3. This means that if a man has not changed his ways and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he cannot enter heaven. Look at the life of Nicodemus. He was a good man and a ruler of the Jews. He was highly respected by everyone in the city. But Jesus looked into the depths of his heart and saw his real need. He said to Nicodemus: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, you must be born again,” John 3: 5-7.
Nicodemus was also a strict Pharisee. The Pharisees stood for the rigid observance of the law. Jesus said: “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 5:20. Being moral and living a good life is not good enough to make a person fit for heaven. Just coming to church will not make you fit for heaven. Being there and taking care of your family will not do it. You must repent, change your ways and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and be born again to enter into the Kingdom of God.
Regeneration is the door by which we enter the Christian life. If we do not enter that door, we do not enter at all.
Regeneration is the direct act of God by which we are admitted into His family. What family? The family of God. The word generation means ‘to produce offsprings or cause to be born.’ In the Latin, it means ‘again.’
Regeneration is the impartation of your new and divine life, a new creation. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” Romans 12:1-2.
Through regeneration, we pass “from death unto life.”
“He that hear my words, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life,” John 5:24. Regeneration is a supernatural work of God in Jesus Christ.
Today we are coming out of our old man and moving into a new man. This new man is given to you by God the moment you repent of your sins and turn to God for salvation. Anyone can receive the new birth and be willing to admit to God their sinful conditions and receive Jesus as Savior. Are you ready to begin your new life in Jesus Christ?
