Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” [John 3:3-4 (NLT)]

How does one get reborn? If there is going to be a rebirth or resurrection, there must be a death or crucifixion. If we are going to be reborn, to have a new life, we must get rid of the old one. We can’t become new simply by slathering on a coat of righteousness or virtue as one would a coat of paint. We need an entirely new foundation. To do that, down must come the walls of bitterness, anger, prejudice, pride and any other walls that interfere with our relationship with God and our fellow man. Rebirth is neither easy nor fun; in fact, at times it can be downright unpleasant. But, rebuild we must if we are going to have a new life: one that is right and true and good.

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. [John 3:5-6 (NLT)]