“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3.3.)
Introduction. This subject is of absolute importance. It is the hinge of the gospel; it lies at the basis of salvation. There are many who fancy they are born again who are not. We must examine ourselves.
(1) The Matter of Regeneration. Suppose you had to be born in England to enjoy England’s privileges. Would a change of name admit you to citizenship? What if you dressed like an Englishman? Not being born here, you would still be refused. Many of you wear the Christian name, have adopted Christian manners, go to church, teach religion at home (I would not discourage you!), and are honest and upright. But because you are not born again, heaven’s gates are shut against you. What if you learn the language? Will this admit you? No, says the keeper of the door. You must be born in this country. So with some of you. You talk like Christians, tell long yarns about divine experience, and so no one marks you as counterfeit. You are a church member, maybe an elder. You are all that a Christian can be, except for a Christian heart. You are full of rottenness within, though garnished fairly on the outside. Take heed! Through not being born again, you are shut out. If you think me uncharitable, you do not accuse me, but Christ, who said, “Except a man be born again.” Note the manner in which regeneration is obtained. The Puseyite believes that by a few drops of water sprinkled on the brow the infant becomes regenerate. Wait twenty years. Then see the drunkard reeling, and beating his wife. If that’s regeneration, the gospel is licentious, and of the devil. Simon Magus was baptized. Yet Paul said he was ‘in the bond of iniquity.’ Neither is a man regenerated by his own exertions. A man may reform himself and cast away many vices, well and good. But no man can make himself born of God. Regeneration consists in God the Holy Spirit operating on the will and conscience. Without that, you perish. The change makes us love what we hated and hate what we loved.
(2) Seeing the Kingdom of God. To see this kingdom is to be a member of the mystical church, to enjoy the privileges of a child of God, to have power in prayer, communion with Christ, fellowship with the Holy Spirit, to bring forth blessed fruits, and be admitted into heaven.
(3) Why a Man Must be Born Again to See the Kingdom of God. (I confine my remarks to the kingdom of God in the world to come.) Without being born again, man would be out of place in heaven. An unmended sinner would be miserable there. If singing God’s praises is dull work for you, what will you do where they praise God day without nite? Give you your bottle of wine; that is heaven for you! Well, no such heaven is yet made. Neither the angelic powers nor the saints in heaven would let the wicked into Paradise. Can you wrestle with the Almighty? “Ye shall not see the kingdom of heaven.” Go, crawling grasshopper; come not against the Almighty.
(4) A Little Expostulation with You. Man cannot be born again after death. Death cools you in your mold, and you are cast in that shape throughout eternity. The damned are lost for ever. They go on cursing, ever being cursed. “He that is unjust let him be unjust still.” Are you regenerated yet? Tomorrow you may be in hell. You may smile at being shut out of Paradise now. Be not so foolhardy! In hell they do not laugh at everlasting burnings.
Selection from Conclusion. “O, I beseech you, think on these matters…If you are at all impressed this morning, put not away the impression; it may be your last warning.”
