But now here's an unexpected twist: It's also possible to be sinfully
religious! That sounds like an oxymoron, but it's a fact. The
Bible refers to such a religion as a religion "of the flesh"–doing "good
works" for the purpose of appearing religious and earning the approval
of God and others. The Bible refers to such religious "good" works,
or "righteousnesses," as "filthy rags." Isaiah
64:6
So, Jesus was appealing to all of us–the sinfully irreligious and the
sinfully religious–when he announced: "'You must be born again.'" John
3:7
Being born again is the work of the Spirit of God to change our nature
so it is once again bent toward God, with a genuine desire for God, a genuine
longing and seeking after God, with a new capacity for knowing and loving
God. Then rather than obeying from a sheer sense of duty and to gain
the approval of God and others, our obedience to God will come "from the
heart" and be a "delight." Romans 6:17; Psalm
40:8 It's a spiritual birth whereby we begin to value other people
as God values them and become inclined toward toward love, unselfishness
and the "fruits of the Spirit." Galatians 5:22,23;
2 Corinthians 5:16 That's what Jesus meant when He said, "'That
which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'" John 3:6
We cannot change our nature to become like this. That's why Jesus
called it being "born again." It is a supernatural work of God upon
our heart. Yet it does not happen without our
cooperation and consent.
Once we're born again, there is still a lot of spiritual growth to take
place (the ultimate goal is that we would become witnesses ourselves that
would lead others to God–Matthew 5:14-16).
All along the way we will be engaged in a spiritual battle, but the difference
is that now we're inclined to grow toward God and to do His will, rather
than resisting Him. And it all starts with a new desire, a new birth,
inclining us in God's direction. This is the new birth. This
is how a relationship with God begins.
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