When asked what my religion, or spirituality, or faith system is, I simply say, “Christian” or “evangelical Christian”. I am not affiliated with a mainstream religious group like Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, or Catholic, so I guess I could say that I am a Bible-believing Christian who is a follower of Jesus Christ.

Often, after I express this, the person will ask next, “Oh! You’re born-again?!” I am not exactly sure what the person implies, but I believe that there is this misconception that the “born-again” group is another religion or a form of religious fanaticism, and it’s not.

In fact, I should probably ask back, in the kindest manner, “How about you? Have you been born again? Have you experienced spiritual rebirth?”

John 3:5-7 says, “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.” ’ “

Jesus was speaking to a Jewish religious leader, Nicodemus, when He said this. Did it apply to him specifically, or only to religious leaders, or to anyone? I would suggest that He meant anyone, for He said, “unless one” is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That’s anyone. Jesus also said, “You must be born again.” He didn’t say, “You may; you probably should; you could try to be; or, you could hope.” He said, “You must be born again.”

Religious denomination does not define who will enter the kingdom of God. Spiritual rebirth does. Spiritual cleansing and renewal happens when one believes the need for a Savior from one’s sins, and that Savior is Jesus Christ.

So I ask again, “How about you? Have you been born again?”

You probably have, but have not really thought about it, or realized it, or you hesitate to admit it because then, you’d be associated with religious fanaticism. It is not a religion. It is biblical. It is a command. And it is okay.