The word regenerate is derived from the Latin root regenerare,
which means “to reproduce,” “to create again.” In Chapter Two of my book, The Conditioned Mind I investigate how humanity was originally intended to be most
representative of God’s moral character, and that morality pertains to a
right way of thinking. In Chapter Three of The Conditioned Mind, I assert that the mind is a
component of the soul. Regeneration then brings about correction of
thought processes and behaviors, resulting in a state of mind that
aligns more with God’s right way of thinking. This, too, is part of the
Holy Spirit’s work—to bring about correction of thoughts and
behaviors that fall outside of the Father’s will. And it was what Jesus
spoke to Nicodemus about:
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:1–5).
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:1–5).
The Greek word used here for born is gennao (ghen-nah’-o), which figuratively means, “to regenerate” or “to be delivered of.” The Greek word used here for see is eido (i’-do), which is a primary verb and is generally used only in certain past tense applications. By implication, eido means “to know” or “to be aware of.” Through lexical analysis, we come to understand that Jesus was stating no one is going to know, or effectively be aware of the kingdom of God, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Which is what Christ goes on to clarify for Nicodemus: “[N]o one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit.” Note how Jesus first stated that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again, but on the second assertion He said no one can enter without the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God indwelling us and anointing our mind, we cannot effectively know God or be aware of His kingdom. Because the kingdom of God is not of this world, we can neither see it nor enter into it without the mind of God intersecting with our mind via His Spirit.
Go deeper by reading The Conditioned Mind, today! Get 30 percent off retail at DeeperShopping.com. Have a blessed day!
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