Born Again

Daily Bible Study

Topic: Salvation

Do you remember all the steps you went through to join your family? The application you filled out, the questionnaires about your future plans, the endless interviews with potential mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters? And then the whole probationary period when you had to be on your best behavior or you'd be shopping for a new family all over again?

You don't!?

Well, I don't either and for a good reason. Becoming a member of a family doesn't work that way--even if you're adopted. Generally, you're born into a family; and you'll die as a member of that family. No matter how good or bad the relationships get in between, the people you are related to are your family.

So, if we can't earn or buy our way into our families here on earth, what makes us think we can do that when it comes to God's family?

What Does the Bible Say

You see, you become a member of God's family the same way you become a member of your family here on earth: you're born into it. "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3, ESV). That's what Jesus said to Nicodemus. And Nicodemus asked a very natural follow-up 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, ESV).

Yes, there is a difference between being born and being born again. You had no choice about your first birth. But when it comes to being born again, there is a choice to be made--by you and by God. See, it's God's family you'd be born into; so, naturally, He gets a say in the matter. And here's what He says: "For [I] God so loved the world, that [I] he gave [my] his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).

God's choice is this: He wants you to join Him in heaven. That means there are no good deeds you can do to make God accept you into heaven--He's already accepted you. All you have to do is respond to Him, for "everyone who believes in him will have eternal life" (John 3:15, NLT).

Being born into God's family is something that has immediate benefits. We get a new outlook on life. We get a peace that comes from seeing life from God's perspective. We get a genuine love and compassion for others. Sure, these things don't come overnight--after all, you weren't born physically as a 25-year-old--but as you grow and mature in God's family, they'll become a part of your life.

My Thoughts

Based on John 3:1-21, think about the following questions:

• We read that not only is Jesus providing a way into God's family, He's also saving us from something. What is that?
• What does it mean that whoever does not believe "is condemned already" in verse 18?

My Part

If you've ever felt like you need to live up to God's standards before He'll let you near heaven, let this message sink in: You're already accepted.

If you live in constant fear that you'll slip up and God will disown you, remember: He'll always love you. Even if you've already made the choice to be born into God's family, take some time today to think about these truths.

What Does God Say?

My Thoughts

My Part