John 3:6-8 (CSB), “Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
The above verses teach that for one to be truly born again, that person must experience a complete change of nature. That which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit. One will only be born again when the fleshly body dies and God resurrects it in a spirit body (1 Corinthians 15:38, 51-53) That will be the rebirth (born again).
However, to give us a “down payment of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14-15 CSB), we are said to be begotten of the spirit of holiness. This “spirit-begetting” comes with the surrendering of our own will to do the will of the Heavenly Father. It begins in us a transformation through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).
If we are led by the spirit (by being obedient to his word), it will develop in us the fruit of the spirit. It will change us into the image of Christ’s character (Romans 8:29). Therefore, if we are to be made like Him and see Him as He is (1John 3:2 ), we must develop his character of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance – the fruit of the spirit. We can never be accepted as sons of God and never be born again unless we develop Christ’s character.
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