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 be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” John 3:3. This means that if a man is not born again, he cannot enter heaven. Nicodemus was a good, moral man and a ruler of the Jews. He was highly respected by everyone, 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 be 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.
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 generational meaning of a family is to produce offsprings or cause to be born. In the Latin it means ‘again.’
Regeneration is the impartation (again) of a new and divine life, a new creation-the production of a new thing. “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.
We are coming out of our old nature—moving into a new nature. This nature 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 that will admit to God his or her conditions and receive Jesus as Savior. Are you ready to begin your new life in Jesus Christ?
