Sigh.
2 Cor. 5:17 -- Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born again. born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born again.
And the verse I mentioned in #174:
John 3:5 -- Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Luther’s Small Catechism teaches us that our baptism into Christ, which “works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this,” also indicates that the Christian life involves an ongoing struggle between the “old creature” and the “new man.” “It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” This is the day-to-day life of the redeemed.