How does spiritual regeneration relate to hearing the gospel?

Spiritual regeneration is crucial because it transforms our hearts and minds, allowing us to hear and understand the gospel. John 3:3 emphasizes the necessity of being 'born again' to see the kingdom of God. Through regeneration, the Holy Spirit imparts new life, enabling us to comprehend and accept the truth of God's Word. This is echoed in 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, which speaks of receiving the Spirit of God to know the things freely given to us. Therefore, without regeneration, the gospel remains foolishness and inaccessible to the natural man.