Among the teachings in John 3, the concept of being born again stands out as particularly prone to misunderstanding. Jesus emphasizes that one must be born again, not as a moral duty to fulfill, but as an event that must happen through the Father's will. Just as no one can initiate their own human birth, spiritual birth is a gift from our Father in heaven, who sovereignly implants His Spirit in an individual's heart. This spiritual birth transcends human effort, reflecting the Father's act of creation and salvation. The imagery of wind and Spirit in John 3 further illustrates this divine action, highlighting that spiritual life begins not by personal choice, but by the Father's sovereign design.

Jesus Christ teaches in John 3:5, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This statement explains that being born of water and the Spirit is equivalent to being born again or born from above. Both water and Spirit, as used by Him here, are spiritual entities. The water and Spirit may relate to the cleansing and empowering aspects described in Ezekiel 36:25-27, where water figures as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Jesus further instructs in John 3:6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This must be understood spiritually and figuratively, emphasizing the necessity of the new birth. Flesh continues to produce only flesh, which profits nothing in spiritual terms, often representing the carnal, sinful nature of man. In contrast, being born of the Spirit results in a spiritual nature, producing holiness and purity, aligning with the fruit of the Spirit such as love, joy, and peace. The new birth through the Spirit marks the beginning of a holy, spiritual mind, enabling a person to exhibit spiritual attitudes, conduct, and perspective. It is not about a future transformation into a different composition but about the present reality and near future of the born-again person while still flesh and blood. Evidence of being born of the Spirit is seen in a person perceiving the Kingdom of God, entering into it, and producing spiritual fruits.

We must be like God before we can truly know Him and have fellowship with Him. God has given us His Holy Spirit so that we can have His mind and overcome our weaknesses. If we have God's own nature, we become 'sons of God,' or as Peter puts it, in II Peter 1:4, we can become 'partakers of the divine nature.' It is Christ alone who makes that possible for us. In Christ, eternal life was manifested, and He came to give us life, as John 10:10 states, 'I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.' We cannot have fellowship with God before we are like Him, and in Christ, we can receive a new life, a new nature. We can become 'a new man,' and we can say with Paul, 'I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.'