Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3: 3)

The Christian concept of being born again dates back at least as far as that famous nighttime conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. There, as recorded in John chapter 3, Nicodemus asks Jesus about eternal life and Jesus responds that in order to enter eternal life, a person must be born again.

Of course, therefore, being born again in Christ is not only desirable, but essential to being a bone fide follower of Jesus Christ. However, during the last half of the 20th century, a born again movement began (mostly in fundamental Christian quarters) which focused so heavily on being born again that it almost completely ignored the necessity of a new life after the new birth.

As we seek to become and develop mature Christians today, let us never make the mistake of thinking that being born again is the end. Quite the contrary! Being born again is just the beginning. It is true that Jesus said unless a person is born again they cannot see the kingdom of God. It is also true that unless a person goes beyond being born again, they cannot experience and enjoy the kingdom of God.