John 3:5

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” – John 3:5

Do you understand that the Kingdom of God is a nation? A nation that does not belong here on earth. “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). It is the most powerful Kingdom, and no one can subdue it. “And the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44).

And just like every nation has laws that govern it, so does the Kingdom of God. Because it is a Kingdom, it has a King who rules over it: “For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us” (Isaiah 33:22). Anyone who desires to enter must follow the requirement given by the King.

That’s why Nicodemus was so shocked when Jesus told him he must be born of water and the Spirit before he could enter. “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4).

But Paul explains, “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Nicodemus knew that “water” was connected to purification and cleansing from uncleanness: “He shall wash his body in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp” (Leviticus 14:8). God even promised through Ezekiel, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean… I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes” (Ezekiel 36:25–27).

Now we understand that when Jesus spoke of “water,” He wasn’t pointing only to water baptism, but to what baptism signifies. It signifies our union with Him in His death and resurrection. As Paul says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

But Jesus didn’t stop there. He also said we must be born of the Spirit. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). Paul reminds us that without the Spirit, “you are not His” (Romans 8:9). But with the Spirit, we are sealed: “You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13–14).

The Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26), and empowers us to overcome the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

So if you truly desire to enter the Kingdom of God, you must believe in Jesus and follow the path He showed us: “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him” (Matthew 3:16).

So here’s the question: Have you been born of water and the Spirit? Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Today is the day of salvation. Do not harden your heart! Give your life to Jesus, and be with in His Kingdom that reign in righteousness.