They are connected all the way from the fall of Adam and lead to Christ our savior from the flesh that in no way can ever please God. Yes one has to be born again and this can only happen from God, through the cross, a gift to all those that believe God does just love them so much that:
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward
us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
Why did he die for us? to do what? to give us new life in the Spirit? Yet first before this can be we need to be seen as holy right from God the Father, yes, who knows no sin, Christ either did take it all or he did not and then if he did not thern the cross is made void, yes or no?
Colossians 1:22 in the
body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
As john 3 is so very clear on, that we can't see the kingdom without being born again, and he said that he came to do this, did he not?
John 10:10
The thief
cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.