A child of God is not born by human effort. Churches, doctrines, or a vast knowledge of the Bible aren’t what it takes to become born of God. Only the Holy Spirit can make it happen. And He performs this miracle of miracles the same way that it happened to Jesus.

Mary asked the angel how Jesus would be formed inside of her since she had had no contact with a man. Like Mary, many people believe that being born of God is because of an action on their part—accepting Jesus as their Saviour and being baptised in water. Although both are Christian doctrines, they’re not enough to cause a person to be born of God.

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35).

The same manner in which Jesus was formed in Mary’s womb, children of God are formed by the Holy Spirit: He overshadows them. When it happens, tears and remorse are a normal response. Initially, because of all the sins they had committed, for the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sinful nature. Once a person recognises that he is lost, he seeks the One who can save him. And again, the Holy Spirit points him to the Saviour. And this is when the person surrenders himself to the Lord Jesus with all his strength, all his heart, and with all his understanding. And the tears of sadness turn into tears of indescribable happiness and joy. From this moment on, he begins to have God’s character so that he can live in newness of life.