The Must Of The New Birth

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7

Three times, our Lord told Nicodemus that there is an imperative pre-requisite to man's entrance into the kingdom, of God. That imperative is this - "Ye Must Be Born Again." There are three things that require this new birth.

I. It is Necessary for a Man to be Born Again, Because He is, by Nature Dead In Sin. The Word of God knows nothing of this modern idea of partial depravity. All men by nature are totally dead and radically depraved. "In Adam all died." Every part of man's being, by nature, is corrupted with sin. He is alive to sin, to lust, and to rebellion. But with regard to holiness, righteousness, and Christ, he is dead. Since he is dead, there is nothing that the poor sinner can do to help himself. His supposed "free-will" is dead in sin. If it were possible for a man to take the first step toward God, he could walk all the way to heaven alone. If a man is ever to have eternal life, he must be born again by the Spirit of God.

II. It is Necessary for a Man to be Born Again, Because Man, by Nature, Cannot See, Feel, or Know Anything Spiritual. Our Lord said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Paul tells us. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Tell man of his sin; but he does not mind. To him sin is a matter of little, or no concern. Tell him of his eternal soul, of hell, and the wrath of God; but he has no care. Tell him of the excellence, beauty, and glory of Christ. Tell him of Christ's redeeming love and saving power. But he is unmoved. These are nothing to him. He must he born again.

III. It is Necessary for Man to be Born Again, Because By Nature, He is Unfit for Heaven. Suppose it were possible for a sinner to go to heaven, without the new birth. It would be hell to him, for Christ is there. And he hates Christ. Holiness is there, and he loves sin. Worship is there. And he will not worship. "Ye Must Be Born Again."

Don Fortner