Dr. Nilo H. Flores

October 2, 2026

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving us Your Word, which reveals the truth about our condition and shows us the way to eternal life.

Today, help me understand the biblical truth about the new birth. Help me realize that Christianity is not simply about becoming a better person, changing my habits, joining a church, or becoming religious.

Help me understand that I must be born again.

Lord, search my heart and help me examine whether I have truly trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour.

Help me understand that salvation is not something I can earn through good works, religious activities, or human effort. It is Your gracious work in the heart of a sinner who believes on Jesus Christ.

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins, to shed His precious blood, and to rise again from the dead.

Help me understand what it means to be spiritually born into Your family.

Give me a new heart, a new desire, a new direction, and a new love for You.

Help me walk in the new life You have given me.

May my life demonstrate that I belong to Christ.

When I am tempted to return to my old ways, remind me of the new life I have in Jesus.

When I fail, help me come to You honestly.

When I am discouraged, remind me that my salvation rests upon Christ and not upon my own strength.

Use my testimony to help others understand their need to be born again.

May I faithfully proclaim the Gospel and point sinners to Jesus Christ.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Introduction

One of the most important conversations recorded in the Bible took place at night.

A religious leader named Nicodemus came to Jesus.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee. He was a ruler of the Jews. He was a respected teacher of religion. He knew the Scriptures. He practiced religion. He had knowledge, position, and religious credentials.

Yet Jesus told him something that must have shocked him:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Jesus did not tell Nicodemus that he needed to become more religious.

He did not tell him that he needed a higher position.

He did not tell him that he needed to perform more good works.

He told him that he needed to be born again.

This teaches us a vital truth:

Religion cannot replace regeneration.

Good works cannot replace the new birth.

Church membership cannot replace the new birth.

Baptism cannot replace the new birth.

Knowledge cannot replace the new birth.

A person can know about Christianity without knowing Christ.

A person can attend church without being born again.

A person can carry a Bible without possessing eternal life.

The question is not simply:

“Am I religious?”

The more important question is:

“Have I been born again through faith in Jesus Christ?”

What Does “Born Again” Mean?

Original Greek Study

The Greek expression in John 3:3 is:

γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν
gennēthē anōthen

The phrase comes from two important Greek words.

1. γεννάω — gennaō

Pronunciation: gen-nah’-ō

This word means:

• to beget
• to give birth
• to bring forth
• to be born

It describes the beginning of life.

2. ἄνωθεν — anōthen

Pronunciation: an’-ō-then

This word can mean:

• from above
• from the beginning
• again
• anew

In John 3, the expression carries the idea of being born from above or born anew.

This is important because Jesus was not merely telling Nicodemus to improve his natural life.

Jesus was speaking about a supernatural work of God.

The new birth is not simply turning over a new leaf.

It is not merely making a New Year’s resolution.

It is not simply promising to live better.

It is a spiritual birth that comes from God.

1. The New Birth Is Necessary

Jesus did not say:

“It would be helpful for a man to be born again.”

He said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The word “except” establishes a necessary condition.

Without the new birth, a person cannot see God’s kingdom.

John 3:7 says:

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

Notice those words:

“Ye must.”

The new birth is not optional.

Every sinner needs it.

It does not matter whether someone is rich or poor.

Educated or uneducated.

Religious or irreligious.

Young or old.

Famous or unknown.

Every person is born physically, but every sinner needs spiritual life from God.

2. The New Birth Is Spiritual, Not Physical

Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus.

John 3:4 says:

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

Nicodemus was thinking about physical birth.

Jesus was speaking about spiritual birth.

John 3:5 says:

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Jesus then explained:

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
— John 3:6

Physical birth gives physical life.

The new birth gives spiritual life.

Our physical birth makes us members of the human family.

The new birth brings us into God’s spiritual family.

3. The New Birth Is a Work of the Holy Spirit

John 3:5 emphasizes:

“…born of the Spirit…”

The Holy Spirit has an essential role in the work of regeneration.

Titus 3:5 says:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

The word “regeneration” speaks of new birth or renewal.

This is why salvation cannot be reduced to human self-improvement.

A sinner needs God’s supernatural work.

The Holy Spirit convicts.

The Word of God reveals truth.

The sinner responds in repentance and faith.

God gives new spiritual life.

4. The New Birth Is Not Human Reformation

There is a major difference between reformation and regeneration.

Reformation says:

“I need to change my behavior.”

Regeneration says:

“I need new spiritual life.”

A person may change his clothes without changing his heart.

A person may change his habits without changing his spiritual condition.

A person may become more disciplined without becoming spiritually alive.

The Gospel goes deeper than outward behavior.

God changes the heart.

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.”

The Christian life is therefore not merely an improved old life.

It is a new life in Christ.

5. The New Birth Is Not Earned by Good Works

The new birth cannot be purchased by human effort.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Good works are important in the Christian life, but good works are not the basis upon which a sinner receives eternal life.

We are saved by God’s grace through faith.

Titus 3:5 reminds us:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done…”

No amount of religious activity can substitute for the new birth.

A person can give money.

A person can attend church.

A person can sing hymns.

A person can pray.

A person can serve.

A person can be baptized.

But none of these things can replace genuine faith in Jesus Christ.

6. The New Birth Comes Through Faith in Jesus Christ

John 3 does not end with the words:

“You must be born again.”

Jesus explains God’s provision for sinners.

John 3:14–15 says:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Then comes one of the most familiar verses in the Bible:

“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

The new birth is inseparably connected with Jesus Christ.

The sinner must believe on Him.

Christ is the Saviour.

Christ died for our sins.

Christ was buried.

Christ rose again.

And whoever believes in Him receives everlasting life.

7. The New Birth Gives Spiritual Life

Before salvation, the sinner is spiritually separated from God.

Ephesians 2:1 says:

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

The word “quickened” means made alive.

Sin brings spiritual death.

Christ gives spiritual life.

The new birth means that God gives spiritual life to the believer.

The person who has been born again begins to understand spiritual truth in a new way.

He develops a desire for God’s Word.

He desires fellowship with God.

He desires to obey Christ.

He becomes increasingly sensitive to sin.

He desires to grow spiritually.

These changes do not mean that the Christian becomes perfect.

They demonstrate that spiritual life has begun.

8. The New Birth Produces a New Relationship With God

John 1:12–13 says:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Notice:

“born…of God.”

The new birth establishes a new relationship with God.

The believer becomes a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

This is not based upon human ancestry.

It is not inherited from parents.

It is not received merely because someone was raised in a Christian environment.

Each person must personally believe on Christ.

9. The New Birth Produces a New Life

A genuinely saved person begins to experience changes in life.

Again, this does not mean perfection.

Christians can still stumble.

Christians can still sin.

Christians can still experience spiritual struggles.

But there should be evidence of spiritual life.

Galatians 2:20 says:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”

The Christian life becomes increasingly Christ-centered.

Instead of asking only:

“What do I want?”

the believer begins asking:

“What would please Christ?”

Instead of living only for self:

“How can I serve?”

Instead of asking:

“How much can I gain?”

the believer begins asking:

“How can I glorify God?”

10. The New Birth Changes Our Direction

A new birth produces a new direction.

Before salvation, a person naturally lives according to his own desires.

After salvation, Christ becomes the center of his life.

Romans 6:4 says:

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Notice:

“newness of life.”

The Christian has a new direction.

The believer should increasingly turn away from the old life and walk in fellowship with Christ.

11. The New Birth Produces Love for God’s Word

A person who has received new spiritual life should develop a desire for God’s Word.

1 Peter 2:2 says:

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

A newborn baby naturally desires nourishment.

Likewise, spiritual life produces a desire for spiritual nourishment.

The believer should desire:

• Bible reading
• prayer
• fellowship
• worship
• discipleship
• Christian service
• witnessing

God’s Word becomes more than an ordinary book.

It becomes spiritual nourishment.

12. The New Birth Produces Love for Christ

The new birth changes the believer’s relationship with Jesus.

Before salvation, someone may know about Jesus historically.

After salvation, the believer knows Christ personally as Saviour and Lord.

Peter wrote:

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
— 1 Peter 1:8

A believer’s love for Christ should grow.

We love Him because:

He first loved us.

He died for us.

He forgave us.

He saved us.

He gives us eternal life.

He promises never to leave us.

13. The New Birth Produces Spiritual Fruit

Jesus taught that a person’s life gives evidence of what is happening within the heart.

Galatians 5:22–23 says:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Spiritual fruit does not purchase salvation.

Instead, spiritual fruit is evidence of God’s work in the believer’s life.

A Christian should increasingly demonstrate:

Love instead of hatred.

Joy instead of constant despair.

Peace instead of unnecessary conflict.

Patience instead of uncontrolled anger.

Goodness instead of selfishness.

Faithfulness instead of inconsistency.

Self-control instead of uncontrolled desires.

The new birth should eventually be visible in the way we live.

14. The New Birth Is the Beginning of Spiritual Growth

Being born again is the beginning, not the end, of the Christian life.

A newborn Christian must grow.

Peter says:

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
— 2 Peter 3:18

Spiritual growth takes time.

A new believer may not understand everything immediately.

There may be weaknesses.

There may be questions.

There may be struggles.

But there should be a desire to grow.

We should continue learning God’s Word, praying, serving, witnessing, and walking with Christ.

15. Nicodemus: Religious but Needing the New Birth

Nicodemus is one of the most powerful examples in this passage.

He was religious.

He was educated.

He was a Pharisee.

He was a ruler.

He knew the Old Testament Scriptures.

Yet Jesus told him:

“Ye must be born again.”

This reminds us that religious knowledge is not the same as salvation.

A person can know many Bible verses and still need Christ.

A person can understand theology and still need to personally trust Christ.

A person can be active in religious work and still need the new birth.

The Gospel is not simply information.

It demands a personal response to Jesus Christ.

16. The New Birth Is God’s Work, But We Must Believe

The Bible holds together God’s gracious work and man’s responsibility to believe.

John 3:16 says:

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The sinner is called to believe.

Acts 16:31 says:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

The sinner cannot regenerate himself.

He cannot manufacture spiritual life.

But he can respond to God’s Gospel by repentance and faith.

Salvation is God’s gracious provision through Jesus Christ.

Business for Christ

The truth about the new birth is especially important in the marketplace.

A Christian business is not simply a business owned by someone who attends church.

Business for Christ means conducting business under Christ’s Lordship.

The new birth should influence how we work.

It should influence how we treat employees.

It should influence how we treat customers.

It should influence how we handle money.

It should influence how we respond to mistakes.

It should influence how we conduct negotiations.

It should influence how we treat people who cannot benefit us.

Proverbs 11:1 says:

“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”

A born-again Christian should pursue honesty and integrity.

If Christ has changed our heart, His influence should eventually be seen in our business practices.

Our business should not become an excuse to compromise biblical principles.

Instead, it should become another place where we demonstrate that Christ is Lord.

Business for Christ means serving Christ even while conducting business.

Practical Application

Take time today to examine your spiritual life.

Ask yourself:

• Have I truly been born again?
• Have I personally trusted Jesus Christ as my Saviour?
• Am I depending upon Christ or upon my good works?
• Have I confused religion with salvation?
• Do I have a genuine desire for God’s Word?
• Is my life becoming increasingly Christ-centered?
• Do I desire to obey the Lord?
• Is there evidence of spiritual growth?
• Does my conduct reflect my profession of faith?
• Does my business conduct honor Christ?

Do not simply ask:

“Am I religious?”

Ask:

“Have I been born again?”

Today’s Challenge

Read and meditate on:

John 3:1–21

John 1:10–13

Ephesians 2:1–10

2 Corinthians 5:17

Titus 3:3–7

1 Peter 1:23

Then take time to thank God for the new life available through Jesus Christ.

Write down three things:

1. My Condition Before Christ

Remember what the Bible says about our condition apart from Christ.

2. My Salvation Through Christ

Thank God for sending Jesus Christ to die for your sins.

3. My New Life in Christ

Ask God to help you grow and demonstrate the new life He has given you.

Then pray:

“Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me new life. Help me live each day in a way that demonstrates that I belong to You.”

Remember

The new birth is not:

Turning over a new leaf.

Becoming religious.

Joining a church.

Doing enough good works.

Changing your outward appearance.

The new birth is:

A spiritual birth from above.

A work of God’s grace.

New spiritual life through Christ.

A new relationship with God.

A new direction of life.

A new desire to know and obey Christ.

Jesus said:

“Ye must be born again.”

Do not substitute religion for regeneration.

Do not substitute good works for grace.

Do not substitute church membership for personal faith.

Come to Christ.

Believe on Him.

Trust Him as your Saviour.

And walk in the new life He gives.

✍️ Quotation by Dr. Nilo H. Flores

“The new birth is not simply becoming a better version of ourselves; it is receiving new spiritual life through Jesus Christ. Religion can change our outward appearance, but only Christ can transform the heart and give us new life.”

— Dr. Nilo H. Flores

😊 Flores Faith Smile

A little boy was watching his father work in the garden.

The father planted a small seed in the ground.

The boy asked:

“Dad, why did you bury that seed?”

His father smiled and said:

“Because we are expecting something new to come from it.”

The boy looked at the ground and asked:

“But how can something new come from something that looks so small?”

His father answered:

“God designed the seed with life inside it. When it is planted and receives what it needs, something new begins to grow.”

The boy thought for a moment and said:

“Is that like being born again?”

His father smiled.

“Yes. The new birth is God’s work in us. He gives spiritual life, and that new life should grow.”

The boy smiled and said:

“Then I want to keep growing for Jesus!”

Lesson to Remember:

Physical life begins with physical birth. Spiritual life begins with the new birth.

Closing Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for teaching me through Your Word about the new birth.

Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to become the Saviour of sinners.

Father, I recognize that no amount of human effort can replace the work of Your grace.

Help me never to confuse religion with salvation.

Help me never to trust in my good works instead of trusting in Jesus Christ.

Thank You that through faith in Christ, I can have eternal life.

Thank You for the spiritual life You give through the new birth.

Help me grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Help me love Your Word.

Help me love prayer.

Help me love Your people.

Help me love lost souls.

Help me serve faithfully.

Help me live honestly.

Help me conduct my business with integrity.

Help me represent Jesus Christ in my family, workplace, business, church, and community.

When I am tempted to return to my old ways, remind me that I am a new creature in Christ.

When I fail, help me confess my sin and continue walking with You.

May my life demonstrate the reality of the new birth.

Use my testimony to help others understand that they also must be born again.

Give me opportunities to share the Gospel with those who do not yet know Christ.

May everything I do point people to Jesus.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Memory Verse

John 3:3 (KJV)

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Today’s Prayer Focus

🙏 Thank God for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

🙏 Ask God to help you understand the new birth more deeply.

🙏 Pray that your faith in Christ will remain sincere and steadfast.

🙏 Ask God to help you grow spiritually.

🙏 Pray for a greater love for God’s Word.

🙏 Ask God to help you demonstrate Christlike character.

🙏 Pray for your family members and friends who may not yet know Christ.

🙏 Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel.

🙏 Ask God to help your business and work reflect Christian integrity.

🙏 Pray that your life will point others to Jesus Christ.

BUSINESS FOR CHRIST

Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples

Tomorrow — Day 17

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Romans 5:1 (KJV)

Τῷ μόνῳ Θεῷ δόξα

Tō monō Theō doxa

To God Alone Be the Glory