Man’s greatest enemy is his “lebab,” which is translated into Hebrew as “heart” or “spirit” (Strong 3825). This is why Jesus clearly states to Nicodemus in the book of John 3:57 that to be saved, one must be born from above (the new birth). Jesus replied:

“Truly, truly, 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.“

In other words, true birth is not simply coming into the world naturally like every human being but being born anew. Don’t be surprised when I tell you, you must be born from above. The new birth is, to me, one of the greatest miracles of God since the creation of humanity. It’s just incredible; Jesus Christ truly makes you a completely new person.

However, to be born again and to have our stony hearts transformed into hearts of flesh, there is only one solution: acknowledging that we cannot save ourselves, that we are born as sinners, and that we need a Savior above all else. Jesus Christ came into the world for this very purpose, for He and He alone grants us access to the Father when we turn to Him.

Jesus taught this to Thomas in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Even in the book of Isaiah, which predates Jesus by about 700 years, in chapter 35:8-9, it is written:

“A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.“

Whether you agree or not, the reality remains the same: without Jesus Christ in your life, you are separated from God, and your spirit is dead. As evidence, in John 3:17-18:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.“

Several times, Jesus told us, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me,” especially in the book of John. This is also mentioned in the Epistle (letter) of Paul to the Corinthians:

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

Here we come to the great secret of God. After the new birth, God has changed our identity; we no longer belong to the world because Christ lives within us. There has clearly been a change of identity that we must be aware of. The one who helps us in this transformation is the Holy Spirit; He is the one who reveals Christ in us. Therefore, it is important to commune with God in prayer and thanksgiving.

This is why Paul speaks to us about this great mystery, which God has hidden from the beginning of time, namely Christ in us:

“He has made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9-10)

The power reigning in a believer born from above is Christ. And Christ must be revealed in us – this is what Paul explains in the letter to the Ephesian Church. The intervention of the Holy Spirit enables this, provided that we accept the transformation. God does not force anyone; your consent is required. If you read the Sower’s version, it is very clear:

“When you read this, you will be able to understand my insight into this mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” (Ephesians 3:4)

A little further in the letter to the Colossian Church, we are invited by God to know the mystery of Christ, which contains the treasures of wisdom and knowledge:

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)

We are no longer children but sons and daughters of God because God has sent the Spirit of His Son, Jesus Christ. And if we are sons, we are heirs through God’s grace. (Read Galatians 4:1-7.) We are also told in Matthew 6:33:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.“

This text is an excerpt from the book “BE ONE WITH THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH!” written by ELIE KASSIM.