The Message of a Missionary
Born Again – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  John 3:1-8

Key Verse: John 3:3

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

As we continue yesterday’s devotional, I want to pick up on the second part of Jesus’ answer to the question, “How can a man be born again?”  Jesus moves quickly from His reference to water baptism to Spirit baptism.  Water baptism is only a symbolic act that reveals what happened inside our hearts.  Spirit baptism is what actually happened the moment we believed and received Jesus.  God puts His Holy spirit, the third person of the Trinity, in us when we are born again.

            Later, in John 14, we read a further explanation.  “If you love me, obey my commandments and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate, who will not leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth…” (John 14:15-17a).  When God puts His Holy Spirit in us, our eyes opened to a whole new world—we are truly born again!  Look at John 3:5 – “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.”  At our “born again” moment, we receive a birth—a new beginning—a second chance into a new life with Christ.

            This is our message: You must be born anew!  Our first birth has been marred by sin.  God offers everyone a second chance at life—an abundant life!  This is truly good news for every single person you know and will ever know.  Our message is simple: Be born again!

Father, thank you for my second chance experience when I was born again!  Help me to figure out ways to share this message with others.  In Jesus’ name, amen.