Oh Christian, have you been born again?

Even though I was a pastor's son and had been in church since I was three, for the first time in my life I was seeking God on my own. One morning as I was praying, suddenly it felt like a flash of light that beamed through my soul. Something had happened to me. I sensed instant peace, joy and love like I had never known. Then while at work I started weeping as the presence of God came over me. Soon I started listening to preachers on the radio, bought study books to help me better understand the Bible and began talking with others about Jesus, along with many other changes. I had become born again.This idea came from Jesus out of a conversation He had with a man named, Nicodemus. He was a gifted and well-known religious leader in Israel. He heard Jesus teach and became curious, so Nicodemus sought out Jesus saying to Him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." (John 3:2) Jesus responded, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John. 3:3).Jesus was aware that Nicodemus, nor His own disciples, had heard Him speak of this before, so like any of us would have done, Nicodemus asked a very logical question, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John. 3:4) Jesus explained how He was using the birth of a child as an illustration, "…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John. 3:5-6) Jesus was communicating how there is human birth (flesh) and there is spiritual birth (Spirit), and for someone to enter the kingdom of God, they must go through a spiritual birth.What does born again mean? First, it is an illustration of life. All of us were born under the curse of sin, which means we were born spiritually dead. Therefore, to enter the kingdom of heaven we need to come alive. We need the supernatural life of Jesus to come dwell within us. Second, being born again, means that since we have been re-born, we also have become a new person. The new life Jesus has created in us has given a new way of thinking and living. Our values, choices and beliefs have all changed. Third, being born again means we have been re-born by the Spirit, not the flesh. Being re-born is something only God can do. Going to church, getting baptized, taking the eucharist, going through catechism – all those are good things, but they are done by you. You cannot be born again through those efforts, but only by the power of God. Jesus addressed this with Nicodemus, "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John. 3:7-8) How can you become born again? Jesus told Nicodemus "…so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." (John. 3:14-15) Jesus said that He will be lifted up on a cross to die and rise again for all people, and it will be done to provide a way for all who are dead in their sin, to be re-born. And when they turn from their sin and trust in Christ with all their heart, they will be made alive!A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for spiritual leaders like Nicodemus and those who regularly attend church. May they humble themselves to examine their hearts if they have been born again, and if they have not, may they call upon you and be changed today. Help them to turn from religion and to Christ. In His name. Amen.