Born of God: Ramifications for a Lifetime

by Steve Klein
via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014

In John 3:1-7, Jesus told Nicodemus,

• “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
• “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
• “You must be born again.”

For centuries, virtually everyone who read Jesus’ words here understood that “water” referred to baptism. And then John Calvin came along in the 16th century. His admittedly “new” interpretation muddied the water! Even so, many denominational scholars and Calvinists acknowledge that “water” in this text is an obvious reference to baptism:

• Presbyterian scholar Albert Barnes wrote, “By water, here, is evidently signified baptism.” (Barnes ’Notes)
• Methodist scholar Adam Clarke said, “Baptism by water, into the Christian faith, was necessary to every Jew and Gentile that entered into the kingdom of the Messiah.” (Commentary on John)
• Anglican priest William Wall observed concerning Jesus’ reference to “water” in John 3 that, “There is not any one Christian writer of any antiquity in any language but what understands it of baptism....I believe Calvin was the first that ever denied this place to mean baptism. He gives it another interpretation, which he confesses to be new.” (History of Infant Baptism)

The book of Acts repeatedly shows that baptism in water initiated believers into their new life in Christ (Acts 8:36-39; 10:47; cf. 2:38; 8:12; 16:12,33; 18:8; 19:4-5; 22:16).

Despite these facts, many claim to have been born again without water! My grandmother would sometimes complain when she heard the claims that thousands were being born again in Billy Graham crusades by merely praying the sinner’s prayer; she would shake her head and wonder aloud how anyone could think they had been born again “without a drop of water.” Jesus’ description of the new birth should cause all of us to wonder the same thing.

But there is much more to the new birth than baptism. Water baptism is the outward act of faith necessary to be born again, but the regeneration is inward. A person who is born again is a new creature; every perspective and relationship is changed (II Corinthians 5:14-17). He walks “in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

In John’s first epistle, the inspired apostle describes the new life that is lived by those who have been born again. Four things characterize this new life.

Those who are born of God practice righteousness.

I John 2:29 says, “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” What distinguishes a child of God from a child of the devil is that a child of God practices what is right (I John 3:10). A child of God does the will of His Father, seeks to please His Father, and generally imitates His Father (cf. Ephesians 5:1).

Those who are born of God do not practice sin.

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (I John 3:9). Sin here refers to one’s walk or habit. God’s children know that continuing in sin would grieve God’s Spirit, so we just don’t want to do it (cf. Ephesians 4:30; I John 5:18).

Those who are born of God love their Father and their family.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (I John 4:7, cf. 5:1). Being born again brings you into a loving family. Family love is special. It transcends all other relationships. Your changed life results in changed affections.

Those who are born of God overcome the world.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (I John 5:4). There’s a battle to fight, but those who have been born again can win it through faith. Picture two men. One is born of God, and the other is a worldly man. Physically, there is little or no difference. They are living in exactly the same physical world with the same temptations surrounding them. However, there is a substantial difference between their lives. One is continually beaten by this world - he loses in temptation and in trial, and he has no real concept of his life’s eternal significance. The other, who had the faith to be born again, has the faith to trust God at every turn. It may not be seen or understood by the world, but he is living a victorious life (Colossians 3:1-3; John 3:8).

The new birth begins the process of growing to be like Christ. Being born of God is not merely the moment you begin to call yourself a Christian, but the moment you begin to become Christ-like. Living life as a son leads to eternal life in the Son. “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (I John 5:11).