The transformation that comes from asking God to make you His child is more than just a new outlook on life. It is a spiritual transformation in which the old you becomes a totally new you. Paul writing to the Galatians said, I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal 2:20). This is a rather powerful and revealing statement regarding God’s work in the transformation process that makes us His children. Notice first that those who become God’s children are first crucified with Christ. This does not mean physical death, it means that the old spirit nature of man is crucified. The reason that Jesus’ died on the cross was so that all who want to become God’s children can share in His death and resurrection. Paul told the Corinthians, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life] (1Cor. 15:45).

When we speak of being born again we are using Jesus’ own words to describe what is happening. One night, Jesus was visited by Nicodemus, a Pharisee (a sect of Jews that believed that obeying rules was all that was necessary to receive eternal life). He asked Jesus, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him (John 3:2). Jesus saw right through Nicodemus. He knew that as a Pharisee, Nicodemus was a legalist and that he needed to be made aware of the Truth that was before him. So, Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again (John 3:3). Confused, and probably a little perplexed at the answer that Jesus had given him, he asked Jesus how that could possible be. Did one somehow go back into his mother’s womb and get reborn? Well, the silliness of Nicodemus’ question clearly pointed out that he was out of touch with the reality of Who God is. Jesus’ must have laughed, and putting His hand on Nicodemus’ shoulder said, What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6). In order to become God’s child one must be born again spiritually. And that is exactly what Jesus provides for us.

When Jesus was writing His Last Will and Testament (John 17), He specifically said to God, Father, the hour has come. Glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify and extol and honor and magnify You. [Just as] You have granted Him power and authority over all flesh (all humankind), [now glorify Him] so that He may give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent. (John 17:1-3). Jesus has been given the specific power to grant eternal life to all who ask for it. They are to ask God in Jesus’ name (John 16:24).

When they ask, they are literally born again in their spirit being. Paul writing to the Corinthians told them, Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (2Cor. 5:17). It just can’t get any clearer than that. One translation says, “a new species.” Being a biologist, when I read that translation, I immediately said to God, “Ok, I know humans have given themselves the name Homo sapiens, which means the ‘wise one,’ so what is my new scientific name”? Immediately God answered, “‘Homo christos,’ one with Christ.” I am no longer just a human with my old human nature, I am now a human with a new spirit liked eternally to the Spirit of Christ Jesus. I am now a child of the King. Everyone who believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring) (1John 5:1). Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) (Eph. 2:5). The very life of Christ! Amazing.

Furthermore, the transformation from Homo sapiens to Homo christos is free. It costs nothing. For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8 ). God loves us so much that He gives us, absolutely free of all charges, the right to become His children. All that is required is a sincere desire to become a child of God, and then to ask. He is ever ready and ever vigilant to transform every person who asks. For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live] (Eph. 2:10).

We are not simply born again so that God can have a bunch of kids. We are born again so that we can live in all the fullness that God has available. We are born into a new life of blessing and fulfillment that is so far beyond our old life that there’s not even words enough to describe the transformation.

Key Verse: Gal. 2:20

Associated Verses: John 3:6, 2Cor 5:17, 1John 5:1, Eph. 2:5, Eph. 2:10

Using the Key: Father, I want to cast off my old self. I want to become Homo christos. I want to be born again. I want to be renewed in Christ Jesus and have my spirit eternally linked to You through Him. So, Father, I am asking that you forgive me for doing things my own way, and I am asking that You make me Your child with Your nature in me. I ask this in Jesus’ precious name, the Name above name, and I give You praise and thanksgiving that You have now done so. So You have said, so it is.