Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

12 May 2025

Reading From John 3:1-18

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spiritgives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

—John 3:3-8

     Some interpret this passage to mean that one must be baptized in water in order to be saved.  But I think that the context of verse five within this conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus gives us clues as to what the Savior means by “born of water and the Spirit.”  The very next line is, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit.”  Jesus was answering a question about the new birth and how it is not about entering one’s mother’s womb a second time. 

     In order to be born again, one must be born of the water of a mother’s womb first and then, when old enough to hear, understand and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ, be born again of the Spirit of God.  I have heard it explained that when the side of Jesus was pierced with a spear while on the cross, water and blood poured out and it is through His sacrifice that we are born again.  Water is also symbolic of spiritual cleansing.  Titus 3:5 tells us, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”  He is the Living Water and if we believe and receive Him, we will thirst no more.

     Nowhere in this passage is water baptism referenced and we know from Ephesians 2 that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works.  Therefore, no religious ritual is necessary for our new birth experience.  Rather, we are baptized in water as an act of obedience out of newfound love for the Savior and it is a symbolic outward sign of an inward work.  Water baptism depicts the inner, spiritual cleansing in the blood of Jesus which is accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit. 

“Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to Earth to be born of the Virgin Mary, lead a sinless life as fully God and fully man as our perfect example, and died, was buried and raised to life on the third day, that all who believe, repent, and call upon His Name would be born again into Your eternal family.  Thank You for the plan of salvation and I pray that many more will be born again as Your sons and daughters share Your love and message with others.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born againhe cannot see the kingdom of God.”

—John 3:3

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

—John 4:13-14