Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (ESV)
What does it mean to be “born again” (John 3:3)?
Jesus used the term to be “born again” in John 3 to indicate that the one who trusts in Jesus as Messiah, receives the indwelling Holy Spirit as Guarantor of New Covenant promise (Ephesians 1:13-14), this redeemed man or woman becomes a “new creation” in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17); that is, they become a new man or new woman spiritually and their conscience is enlivened by the indwelling Holy Spirit, there is a “new” outlook on life, the old person struggling with the flesh died, the new has been born with a new desire to honor our Creator through obedience to our Creator’s will; that is, the Holy Spirit anoints the redeemed in Jesus with a desire to produce divine “fruit” (Galatians 5:16-23) and this divine fruit fulfills all law (codified and spiritual), this divine fruit actually pleases the Father, this divine fruit proves one to be a legitimate disciple of Jesus (John 15:8). The faithful in Jesus enter into a new life, new outlook, new hope, new joy and peace and assurance that the old person, who was enslaved to the flesh and the Adamic sin-nature (Romans 5:12) could not imagine.
Someone said: “Justification is instantaneous. Salvation is a process.” Is this true? What is the “process” of Biblical regeneration (the second birth)?
Discussion,
Subjugation – Procrastination
From the womb, humanity enters a World constrained by Time and physics, a World in subjugation to the god of this World, Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31). Every man, woman, child, begins their Earthly journey subjugated to the Adamic sin-nature and the ruler of this World, Satan (John 12:31); unfortunately, “many” will perish as subjects of Satan due procrastination (Matthew 7:13-14) as the Holy Spirit, the divine “Restrainer” of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7), methodically works through the human conscience to convict the soul-spirit of humanity concerning their need for forgiveness of sin and righteousness (a right standing) with their Creator; therefore, all of humanity that rejects the call of the Spirit will be “without excuse” as they stand in the Judgement of the Condemned, are adjudicated guilty and perish in the “second death” in Hell; this, as their self-righteousness, their arrogance, their sin, cannot enter the Kingdom of Elohim (Romans 1:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:27).
Salvation – Redemption
Salvation from the “second death” in Hell; Redemption – having been purchased with a price – mankind’s sin-debt paid by Jesus via blood atonement at Golgotha are instantaneous divine gifts of grace provided a man or woman at the moment one “believes” that Jesus is Messiah who died for them as they are sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who is the Guarantor of New Covenant relationship with the Father (John 3; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Justification
Justification i.e. to be declared righteous (possessing a right standing with Elohim) is integral with Salvation and concurrent (manifests jointly with salvation) because our Justification comes through faith in Jesus who justifies (imparts righteousness to) the ungodly by faith at salvation; therefore, Salvation and Justification run concurrently (Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Sanctification
It is sanctification (the setting apart for Elohim’s purposes) that is a daily process in the life of the redeemed in Jesus as the Holy Spirit methodically works through the redeemed conscience (2 Corinthians 5:17) via the law written upon the heart to produce divine fruit (Galatians 5:16 -23) that honors Elohim, eternally; the daily process of sanctification continues throughout the life of the redeemed in Jesus while they are constrained by Time and physics. Sanctification is performed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who prepares the redeemed in Jesus for service in the New Jerusalem.
Glorification
Finally, glorification, concerning the redeemed in Jesus, will manifest at the resurrection of the righteous who will receive a “glorified” body likened to the glorified resurrected body of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21); a glorified body that is freed from the Adamic sin-nature, a resurrected, glorified, body that possesses the capability of true worship with the ability to infinitely discern the holiness and beauty and majesty of our Creator Whom we will serve in the New Jerusalem, forever.
"RickeyD" Holtsclaw 