BORN AGAIN?

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #41

• Be Born Again

“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and 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.

“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ” John 3:5-7

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Have you ever walked into the middle of a conversation?  You haven’t heard what the subject is about nor do you know what preceded the remarks you have just now heard.  You might be puzzled?  Nicodemus was puzzled.

It was as if Jesus is speaking from a different paradigm than Nicodemus.  Jesus mind is set on His Father’s Words, so, anything you say to Him or ask of Him will get the response of the Father.

Nicodemus, (#1) a man of the Pharisees, (#2) a ruler of the Jews, (#3) came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. (John 3:2)” 

Notice that Nicodemus is (#1) educated among the elite, and lawyer of renown; (#2)  He is a ruler among the rulers of the Jews;  (#3)  Yet, he is sneaking around at night?  Even the great Nicodemus is more concerned with appearances than with the Truth.   Also notice that his statement is actually a confession and an interrogatory. 

But, Jesus knowing that men cannot be trusted, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men (John 2:24).  

Jesus has said before, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” (John 8:23), and this is reflected in this conversation with Nicodemus.

So, rather then engage Nicodemus on the pretense that he actually wants to know more about Him, Jesus goes to the point of Nicodemus’ visit and says to him  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Which, on the surface has nothing to do with what Nicodemus had posed.  But, Nicodemus takes the bait and replies with, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

JESUS SEPARATES THE KINGDOMS – AGAIN!

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and 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.

Nicodemus, the great teacher, now confounded, said to Jesus, “How can these things be?”

THIS SHOULD BE THE QUESTION ON ALL OF OUR MINDS

Shortly after this time, during a discussion between a Jew and disciples of John the Baptist, John repeats this teaching of “Separate Kingdoms” of Jesus by saying, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” (John 3:27)

John continues by uttering this most profound Truth:

• “He who comes from above is above all,
• he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth.
• He who comes from heaven is above all. (verse 31)

Being born of water, “a natural earthly birth”, must be followed by being born of the Spirit, or literally, “born from above” in order to live as God has designed.

THE BIG LIE

It is Satan’s Lie, “You surly shall not die” that has cause untold billions of men, women and children to die having failed to complete the “True Life Cycle” of being “born of water and of the Spirit” so they could “enter into the kingdom of God”.

Do not be amazed that Jesus said that you must be born from above!

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT?

HOW MUST YOU TEACH IT?

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young