You say, you are born again. from what state of being were you born from and what is the new state you have been born into.
Now Jesus was talking about being born again, before he took up the cross. So how be it then, you say that, if Jesus had not taken up the cross, you could not be born again?
So how might a man be saved except he be born from above.
God has a way of speaking of things that are yet future as though they have already passed.
It's important to note that Jesus' going to the cross was something that was established from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8).
Hence, it was as though Jesus had already died. For, though Jesus was tempted in all points as we are ( Heb. 4:15), it was impossible for Him to fail in fulfilling His mission to save His people from their sins (Heb. 6:18; Matt. 1:21).
So it may seem odd that Jesus would tell Nicodemus that he had to be presently born again, when in fact one could only be born again as a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3-11; 2Cor. 5:17).
Nevertheless, it makes perfect sense that all who preceded the death and resurrection of Christ could be saved, because their faith linked them to God's promise; and it was as though they too were risen with Him, even though He hadn't died during their lifetime (See Heb. 11). Thus God didn't see them for what they were, but for what they would become in Him.
And so Jesus wasn't merely stating a command that Nicodemus had to be born again, but also a promise that if he would place His confidence in Christ (the One who was speaking to him), he could be assured of this rebirth even in the present, because Jesus would fulfill His mission...
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wildreness, the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life" (Jn. 3:14-15). Yes, He loved us that much!
Nothing could keep Christ from saving Nicodemus, except his lack of faith in Jesus Christ. Hence, he had to be born again...
