March 2004 - Faith FAQ
What does it mean to be born again?
Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born again to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Nicodemus was confused by Jesus' words. If Nicodemus, a very educated Pharisee was confused, then it's easy to see how we can be confused, too! Nicodemus didn't understand how he could be born again -- after all, he was an old man!
Jesus said this new birth or new life came from God's Spirit. It's hard to understand Spirit, because we cannot see Spirit. Jesus compared God's Spirit to the wind -- we may not be able to see the wind, but we can see it move the clouds and the leaves on the trees. We can feel it on our faces or against our backs. God's Spirit is like that also -- blowing and falling on people everywhere.
When God's Spirit comes into our hearts we receive "new life." Our hearts become so full of God's love that we feel as if we have been born again! We feel new!