Truly, truly I say to you that unless one is born of water (baptism) and the Spirit they can not 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. John3:5-6
In this passage of Scripture Jesus was speaking with a man named Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee, a religious, moral man of his time. Compared to others he felt pretty good about his own righteousness, yet he was a "dead" man walking and didn't even know it. Scripture shows us he was seeking knowledge from Jesus when he came to Him in the night.
Nicodemus recognized Jesus only as a "teacher" come from God, because of the wonders & signs Jesus had done. He was what I call a "seeker", he knew there was something special about Jesus, but did not recognize Him as Gods Son, the Messiah, God in the flesh, God who had come from heaven to on a rescue mission to save His creation . Nicodemus was spiritually blind. He didn't understand Jesus was speaking of a spiritual birth in this verse. A birth that brings to life the spirit of man, that part of us which died after the fall.
Jesus tells Nicodemus being "born again" was necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Being born again is still necessary 2000 years later. Unless we are spiritually given a new life in Christ Jesus, we will stay spiritually dead. We won't know or be able have a personally relationship with God.
What is so important about being born again. It is, that this new birth that comes from salvation, brings to us the Holy Spirit of God to live within us and bring to life our dead spirit. The Spirit is how we have a personal intimate relationship with God. This is what Jesus was speaking of in the next verses when He tells Nicodemus about the wind.
"The wind blows where it wishes and we hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8 Humans do not "see" visually the wind when it blows, yet we feel it when it touches us. We hear it, yet do not know where it comes from. So it is with Gods Spirit. He touches us, and we hear Him speak to our hearts and minds through our reborn spirits.
For those of us who suffer, for what ever reason, be it physical health problems, strife, broken relationships whatever, this is the most important information we can come to know, next to our salvation experience in Christ. Why? because it is only through the Spirit of God living in us we can have true strength to endure and overcome the trials of this life. Real strength comes when we know God is in control no matter what the circumstances and He has promised that He will work all to good for those who are His children, born of adoption into His family through faith in His Son.
It's Gods promise. And I am learning through my own experience God promises never fail. God does exactly what He says He will do.
He says being born again brings us eternal life. I have learned it also brings us "life" here on earth.
We can live, with Christ living within us, growing us into His character, strengthening us when we need it, comforting us when we suffer, bring peace in the midst of chaos. Only Gods Spirit at work within us can give true joy and peace to our souls even when we are suffering deeply. God never promised we as His children would never suffer, He promised He would be with us in our suffering, which is what those who do not know Him do not have. His Presence, His Spirit alive in our spirits. How amazing can that be?
Many think they can navigate the trials and tribulations of this fallen, broken world on there own sufficiency. Maybe they can. I cannot speak for them, but for myself I can say that only by Gods Spirit can I each day find the grace to live with my chronic pain and degeneration of my body and still find life worth living. How? God walks with me within my heart and talks with me through His Word, and He desires to do so for all His creations.
If you want a new life in exchange for the one you have now, to be born again, He is oh so willing to come and give it to you. Call out to Him and He will answer I know for sure because it is another promise...He will not turn away those who come to Him...Matt. 7:7
Lord I am so thankful for Your Spirit that lives within me and gives me the ability to know You. My prayer is for anyone reading this that they will see You are the answer to all the suffering, pain, and heartache this life brings. because You bring hope and a new way of living here on earth as we wait for our coming home to heaven. Thank You because of all You suffered for me Lord on the Cross I can now have a life in and with You and God the Father through Your Spirit. I am born again in You. Praise You Lord.
In this passage of Scripture Jesus was speaking with a man named Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee, a religious, moral man of his time. Compared to others he felt pretty good about his own righteousness, yet he was a "dead" man walking and didn't even know it. Scripture shows us he was seeking knowledge from Jesus when he came to Him in the night.
Nicodemus recognized Jesus only as a "teacher" come from God, because of the wonders & signs Jesus had done. He was what I call a "seeker", he knew there was something special about Jesus, but did not recognize Him as Gods Son, the Messiah, God in the flesh, God who had come from heaven to on a rescue mission to save His creation . Nicodemus was spiritually blind. He didn't understand Jesus was speaking of a spiritual birth in this verse. A birth that brings to life the spirit of man, that part of us which died after the fall.
Jesus tells Nicodemus being "born again" was necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Being born again is still necessary 2000 years later. Unless we are spiritually given a new life in Christ Jesus, we will stay spiritually dead. We won't know or be able have a personally relationship with God.
What is so important about being born again. It is, that this new birth that comes from salvation, brings to us the Holy Spirit of God to live within us and bring to life our dead spirit. The Spirit is how we have a personal intimate relationship with God. This is what Jesus was speaking of in the next verses when He tells Nicodemus about the wind.
"The wind blows where it wishes and we hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8 Humans do not "see" visually the wind when it blows, yet we feel it when it touches us. We hear it, yet do not know where it comes from. So it is with Gods Spirit. He touches us, and we hear Him speak to our hearts and minds through our reborn spirits.
For those of us who suffer, for what ever reason, be it physical health problems, strife, broken relationships whatever, this is the most important information we can come to know, next to our salvation experience in Christ. Why? because it is only through the Spirit of God living in us we can have true strength to endure and overcome the trials of this life. Real strength comes when we know God is in control no matter what the circumstances and He has promised that He will work all to good for those who are His children, born of adoption into His family through faith in His Son.
It's Gods promise. And I am learning through my own experience God promises never fail. God does exactly what He says He will do.
He says being born again brings us eternal life. I have learned it also brings us "life" here on earth.
We can live, with Christ living within us, growing us into His character, strengthening us when we need it, comforting us when we suffer, bring peace in the midst of chaos. Only Gods Spirit at work within us can give true joy and peace to our souls even when we are suffering deeply. God never promised we as His children would never suffer, He promised He would be with us in our suffering, which is what those who do not know Him do not have. His Presence, His Spirit alive in our spirits. How amazing can that be?
Many think they can navigate the trials and tribulations of this fallen, broken world on there own sufficiency. Maybe they can. I cannot speak for them, but for myself I can say that only by Gods Spirit can I each day find the grace to live with my chronic pain and degeneration of my body and still find life worth living. How? God walks with me within my heart and talks with me through His Word, and He desires to do so for all His creations.
If you want a new life in exchange for the one you have now, to be born again, He is oh so willing to come and give it to you. Call out to Him and He will answer I know for sure because it is another promise...He will not turn away those who come to Him...Matt. 7:7
Lord I am so thankful for Your Spirit that lives within me and gives me the ability to know You. My prayer is for anyone reading this that they will see You are the answer to all the suffering, pain, and heartache this life brings. because You bring hope and a new way of living here on earth as we wait for our coming home to heaven. Thank You because of all You suffered for me Lord on the Cross I can now have a life in and with You and God the Father through Your Spirit. I am born again in You. Praise You Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment