DALE RATZLAFF | Pastor and Founder, Life Assurance Ministries (1936–2024)
At Life Assurance Ministries we often speak of the “simple gospel of Jesus Christ.” It is simple in that even a child or unbeliever with no religious training can reach out the hand of faith and accept its treasures. However the gospel is also profoundly deep with insights that stretch our limited ability to understand the mysteries of God. Such is the study before us in John 3. As I write this article, I have no axe to grind. I come as a learner praying for fresh insights that may have eluded my attention the last time I studied this section. Would you, the reader, join with me in asking the Holy Spirit to bring us understanding and insight into the truths that God would have us grasp from this important section?
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jn. 3:1–3
The above text has one of the “divine musts”—you must be born again. It is not “ought” or “should,” but a non-negotiable must. Therefore our goal is to find out why one must be born again, what born-again means, and how it is accomplished. Sometimes a portion of Scripture is equally instructive in both outlining positive truths and, at the same time, revealing things that are incorrect.
A man of the Pharisees—not by law keeping
The Pharisees were strict observers of the law. Whether Nicodemus personally, perfectly, kept all 613 biblical commandments in the law we do not know. But we can assume that his life exemplified one seeking to be in harmony with God’s revealed law or he would not have held such a high position within Judaism. We note that Jesus did not tell Nicodemus, “Nicodemus, you have fallen short in ___ and you need to ask forgiveness for this breach of the law and then you will be perfect before God.” No, nothing of the kind was even mentioned, because righteous deeds form no basis for our salvation.
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Ti. 3:5
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also. Rom 3:28–29
This last verse conveys more truth than is immediately seen. We read that we are not justified by works of the law. To expand upon this truth Paul states that God is not God only of the Jews (who have and keep the law), but also of the Gentiles (who do not have and do not keep the law). In other words, Paul’s teaching on justification totally excludes association with law.
We read that we are not justified by works of the law. To expand upon this truth Paul states that God is not God only of the Jews (who have and keep the law), but also of the Gentiles (who do not have and do not keep the law)
Nicodemus would have stressed the careful observance of the Law and the traditions of the elders. For the loyal Pharisee this was the way of salvation. John uses this conversation to show that all such views are wide of the mark. Not a devout regard for the Law, not even a revised presentation of Judaism is required, but a radical rebirth. The demand is repeated three times…Nicodemus and all his tribe of law-doers are left with not the slightest doubt but that what is asked of a man is not more law, but the power of God within him to remake him completely. In its own way this chapter does away with “works of the law” every bit as thoroughly as anything in Paul.1
A ruler of the Jews—not by position
Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews and held a high position in society. Many scholars think that Nicodemus was a leading voice in the Sanhedrin,2 the council representing the highest Jewish authority. Members of this body included the “chief priests,” scribes and lawyers—whose work consisted in interpreting the law.
The Sanhedrin certainly had complete control of the religious affairs of the nation as the Mishnah indicates. The high court was the supreme authority in the interpretation of Mosaic law and, when it mediated in questions disputed in the lower courts, its verdict was final. Beyond this, the Sanhedrin also governed civil affairs and tried certain criminal cases under the authority of Rome.3
The aged Apostle, John, in carefully wording this incident, teaches us that position has no merit with God. One can be the senior pastor of a large church, a president of a growing denomination, a respected Christian author and have all the titles of respect but none of these take the place of the new birth that one must have if he/she is to be a real Christian.
The Teacher in Israel—not religious education
Later, Jesus referred to Nicodemus as “the teacher of Israel” and indicated that even one schooled in Old Testament law should understand the rudimentary principles of the new birth.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?” Jn. 3:10
“The teacher” has the definite article, indicating that Nicodemus, if not the leading teacher in Israel, was at least one of the respected educators who had been entrusted with the religious instruction of the people. Here we learn that thorough religious education, degrees of learning and certificates of outstanding performance are of no value when it comes to the new birth. In writing to the Corinthians Paul reminded them:
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 1 Cor. 1:26
Not correct theology
While this is not as clearly developed as the forgoing points, it is nonetheless an important sub-point to recognize that a correct theology, as important as it is, will not save. We are told that the devils believe yet will be cast into the lake of fire. That perfectly correct theology is not necessary for salvation is seen numerous times in Scripture. In the next chapter of John, Jesus gives the “living water” to a woman of Samaria. Jesus reminded the Jews of His day of the many examples of people being saved outside of Judaism. Doubtless these people had many flaws in their theology.
“But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. “And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; Lk. 4:25–28
The new birth—a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit
If law keeping, a respected position in society, a thorough religious education and correct theology will not suffice, then what will bring us the blessings of salvation? We come back to our text.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
The word “again” in Greek can also be translated “from above.” One must be born from above—receive the new life of God given by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Jn. 3:5–8
The new birth is outside the realm of physical attainment. It is a supernatural event that transforms us at the center of our being. It is regeneration to such a degree that we can be called “a new creation.”
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17
Jesus compares the new birth, or the person who has received the new birth, to the wind. We hear the sound and see its evidence but we do not know its source or the destination. Thus the person who has experienced the new birth is to be led by the Spirit sometimes even where he does not want or choose to go.
The new birth is outside the realm of physical attainment. It is a supernatural event that transforms us at the center of our being.
Nicodemus seems to be utterly confused and asks, “How can these things be?”
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14, 15
Nicodemus could now better understand the teaching of the new birth. He was familiar with the record of the serpent in the wilderness. He could now see its simplicity.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.” And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. Num. 21:8, 9
What, then, is the secret to the new birth? It is first recognizing that we have been bitten by the fiery serpent of sin. This does not take much insight! Just ask anyone who has been bitten by a venomous snake! I have heard that a snake bite is much worse than a bee sting!
We now come to the second “must” of this incident. “The Son of Man must be lifted up.” Many differing theories of the atonement have been presented explaining just why Christ had to die on a cross. One thing is certain, He had to do it! It was His work there on the cross taking the poison of sin upon himself, bearing its penalty for all who would look to Him for healing.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21
That was Christ’s work and His alone. What was the result of Christ’s work?
…so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. Jn. 3:15
The second thing we must do—and this is where most of us fail—is look away from self and the wound. There is no cutting or sucking out the poison of sin. We have all received a fatal dose and there is nothing we can do to neutralize its deadly power. No amount of law-keeping will do. No honored position, no advanced religious education (and not even correct theology, alone) will suffice. We must look away from anything man-centered. We must look and live. What does it mean to look? Looking is the same as believing. It is trusting Christ alone for salvation. When the bitten Israelite looked at the uplifted serpent, he was depending on what God would do for him and not in what he could do for himself.
We now come to the most profound, simple and loved verse of Scripture.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Jn 3:16
Our eternal life is rooted in God and the extent of his love—He so loved! What did he love? He loved the world, that is, mankind—every tribe and race thereof—despite all our sin, degradation and evil independence. How much did he love? He loved enough to give his only begotten Son!
If Christ were not a member of the divine Trinity and fully God in his own right, the sacrifice of Christ would be barbaric. But when we realize that Christ was fully God then Christ’s death on the cross becomes one of the greatest evidences of God’s love for lost man.
…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:19
This infinite love is expressed to “whoever believes.” Some want to define “whoever believes” as only the elect who were chosen by God before the foundation of the world. Others want to place meritorious weight on man’s act of believing. Regardless of one’s understanding of this profound mystery, let us simply make sure that we are trusting Christ alone for salvation. Let us reach out the hand of faith and grasp the simple promise of God, “He who believes has eternal life” Jn. 6:47!
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Jn. 3:17
Here we clearly see the divine purpose. God wants to save the world! How is one lost?
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. Jn. 3:18, 19
It is clear that our salvation or judgment has to do with our acceptance or rejection of Christ. He is the “testing truth.” I will never forget the joy that I had when the weight of the truth of this verse became clear to me! No more fear of coming judgment! I have already been judged “in Christ”! No more trying to get myself good enough to go to heaven! No more focusing on the law of sin and death. Rather, I could look away from self to Christ and the love of God that reached even me!
In one breath John could say not only that, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life,” but also, of him who does not believe and is not born again, that, “the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn. 3:36) This teaching is against universalism—the teaching that everyone will be saved.
In one breath John could say not only that, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life,” but also, of him who does not believe and is not born again, that, “the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn. 3:36) This teaching is against universalism—the teaching that everyone will be saved. It is also against the teaching permeating certain churches in Southern California that one is “born saved” and the only way to be lost is repeated and flagrant breaking the law. No, Scripture in general and John 3 in particular make it clear that one must be born again.
A personal illustration
It was Sunday morning—we had gone to church on Saturday night—when I sat down at the computer to write this article. I was just getting a good start when my wife, Carolyn, reminded me that I should visit Don Brice, a Catholic real estate client that was near death in the hospital. At first I was somewhat frustrated in that I had been robbed of what I thought would be an uninterrupted morning in which I could write without the myriad distractions that usually fill my day. But, I pondered, perhaps this was a divine appointment where I could be used by God to bring the simple message of the gospel to this dying man, and where God could teach me something about the new birth. It was God’s way of moving me from the intellectual ivory tower of hermeneutics to the bedside of God’s beloved child who needed to hear the simple gospel.
As I drove to the hospital I started to turn on the radio, thinking that the last game of the World Series might be on. “No,” I said to myself, “you ought to spend the time in prayer.” So I prayed that God would open the door for me to proclaim the simple gospel of Christ. I prayed that the doctors and nurses would not interrupt my visit and that I could be with Don alone. I entrusted the situation to God, asking Him to work things out according to His will. Arriving at Boswell Hospital, I inquired at the desk where room 242 was. The lady behind the desk rose and said, “I will take you there, it is a long way from here.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, “Just give me directions.” But she insisted. It was a long way but she stayed with me until we arrived at room 242. There, I saw Don. His head and hands we so swollen that I hardly recognized him. However, he was not alone, as I had requested. In the room with him were his wife, Marilyn, and two friends. Don could hardly talk, and when he did, I could hardly understand his feeble voice.
After a few words of greeting, I was able to share with him the simple gospel of the new birth and how one must look to Jesus alone. I quoted to him a few simple key verses. I shared with him that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification. I told him all we have to do is believe and trust in Christ. “He who believes has eternal life.” I asked him if he believed in Christ. He nodded his head and crossed himself—his way of expressing faith in Christ. He said in his weak voice, “I have entrusted the whole situation to God.”
His wife, a Lutheran, wiped her eyes as she recognized for the first time that Don, indeed, had trusted his life to God. Don closed his eyes, I had prayer with the group, and leaving several “Life Assurance” booklets with Marilyn, I left. Only God knows what took place there. Like the wind we do not discern the direction of the Holy Spirit yet I had the feeling that God had given Don eternal life in Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He had also given me a fresh illustration of the simplicity and necessity of the new birth. Shortly after I left Don slipped into a coma and I believe went to be with the Lord.
Yes, there are two imperative divine “musts”. Christ must be lifted up. We must be born again. And the way we are born again is by a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit as we look away from ourselves and anything we can do, to Christ and what He has done for us. Yes, that is living the eternal kind of life.
Endnotes
1 Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, p. 209.
2 Jn. 7:50.
3 The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol. 5, p. 271.
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