What Does it Mean to be Born Again?

"Most Assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). What does "born again" mean anyway? Being born again is Christian conversion, also known as repentance and salvation or getting saved. I am not a preacher. I am just a believer. I only know what Jesus taught, what he did and how believing it changed my life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The song “Amazing Grace” describes the process best. “Once I was lost and now I’m found, was blind and now I see.” Jesus said in John 3:19, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already…” We are “dead in trespasses and sin.” All of us. That is the bad news. Already going to the other place (not heaven) even before actually committing sin. Before being born again, we live apart from God and follow the natural inclinations of our self-centeredness and the ways of the world that God has already condemned. Jesus taught, “You must be born again.” Eternal life begins as soon as you turn from sin and decide to follow Jesus. Jesus was born of a virgin, preached and performed miracles, was crucified and rose from the dead. Believing in him you can be born again and live forever with God. It’s the best gift. Lord, may I be a faithful witness of who you are and be a faithful servant that you will welcome into heaven when I die. --Carolyn Cogswell Digging Deeper: Romans 3:23; 6:23