Born Again

Billy Graham has, on several occasions, given an analogy of a pig when referencing being born again and the changes of regeneration. His thoughts are that if you take a pig into your bathroom and give it a bath, pat it down with Chanel No. 5, put a ribbon around its neck, and sit it on your couch, you might think you’ve made it a perfect gentleman. But as soon as you open the door, that pig will run straight back to the mud. Why? Because its nature hasn’t changed—only its exterior has been cleaned. That’s how it is with many of us. We make changes to conform to social or religious expectations, yet inside, we remain unchanged.

This is what Jesus was addressing when He spoke to Nicodemus. He said, “Nicodemus, you need to be changed on the inside, and only the Holy Spirit can accomplish that. You must be born from above.”

Being born again is a supernatural act of God. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, showing us how we’ve sinned against God. Then He regenerates us—that is, He makes us new. Afterward, the Holy Spirit resides in our hearts, helping us in our daily lives.

The Example of Nicodemus

Our text for this message is John 3:5–6, where Jesus says:
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, part of a group of religious leaders who were experts in the Mosaic Law. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, a ruling council that investigated alleged crimes against the Word of God. Nicodemus was wealthy, powerful, and influential, yet he was intrigued by Jesus and His teachings.

John 3:1–2 says:
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Why did Nicodemus come at night? While we can’t know for sure, it’s possible he wanted to avoid the scrutiny of his peers. As a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, associating with Jesus could have jeopardized his position and reputation.

What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

When Jesus said, “Except a man be born again,” the Greek term used means “born from above.” Nicodemus, however, misunderstood this, thinking Jesus referred to physical rebirth. He asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4).

Jesus clarified that there is a distinction between physical birth (of water) and spiritual birth (of the Spirit). The physical represents human nature, while the spiritual represents divine transformation.

The Living Water: Jesus Christ

To understand spiritual rebirth, we must grasp the concept of Jesus as the Living Water. In the wilderness, when Moses struck the rock and water flowed out to quench the Israelites’ thirst, it was a foreshadowing of Jesus (Exodus 17:6). He is the source of life-giving water, which cleanses and renews us.

In John 4, Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, saying:
“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13–14).

This living water represents the salvation and eternal satisfaction found in Christ.

True Transformation Through Regeneration

Being born again means more than attending church, knowing Scripture, or following religious rituals. It is a complete transformation—a regeneration of the heart and spirit. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Regeneration involves a hatred for sin and a love for righteousness. It’s not about becoming a “good person” by worldly standards but about being made righteous through Christ.

The Call to Action

Jesus concluded His conversation with Nicodemus by emphasizing the necessity of spiritual rebirth:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Are you born again? Examine your heart. Has there been a real, lasting change in your life? Have you turned away from sin and embraced a new life in Christ?