John 3:1-5 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
Most have heard this story before, right? Many people will tell you that you must “be born again”. The question is, do they really understand what Jesus meant by this? I think that we all get the general concept in that Jesus could have said to Nicodemus, “you must be saved from your sins”. This is because to be ‘saved’ is the same thing, or has the same outcome as being “born again”, correct?
It is very likely that Nicodemus already knew that he had to be saved from his sin. The thing is that he may not have understood how to be saved. You see, we serve a God that wants us to know how we are saved!
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand His way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
2 Corinthians 4:5-7 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Parables
The Bible is full of parables and metaphors so that we (through the Spirit) can understand the things that God has prepared for us. If we do not understand one explanation of something, chances are you can relate to the same subject when it is approached from another angle.
So, why then did Jesus choose to tell Nicodemus that he needed to be born again? Well, part of that answer is found within the response that Nicodemus made to Jesus once he had heard this seemingly strange statement.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Evidently this question made Nicodemus stop and think about the process of the salvation that he may have heard that Jesus was proclaiming. We know that all humans are carried in their mother’s womb for approximately nine months. But why is this? A mother’s womb is a place where an embryo, or developing child is protected and nurtured until it is ready for the outside world, or in other Words, the ‘Kingdom of Earth’.
Perhaps this is the reason that God’s Word refers to “wisdom” as a “woman”? Women normally protect and nurture their children as they grow, right? Ever been nurtured in the ‘Womb of Wisdom’? You better be, if you want to be born again!
Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her Words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My Words unto you.
Wisdom is a gift of God given to those that are prudently searching. We use wisdom to apply the knowledge of God’s kingdom appropriately in our lives. This then yields understanding through experience, once applied over time (i.e., “been there, done that”).
In what other ways can we learn from our earthly birth to better understand how we can be born into The Kingdom of God via Spiritual birth? The scripture tells us that for a person to be “born again” they need two very special ingredients: The Water and The Spirit.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of Water and of The Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
Please hold onto that thought, because there are also two special ingredients needed to create a human birth…
What do we find in a mother’s womb? Eggs. We know that for the physical birth to be possible, conception must first take place… remember health class? This is where the seed and the egg meet and become one. They essentially become the human embryo. Within the seed and egg we can find important information stored within the DNA that each parent contributes to the child.
Who knows that the ‘seed’ comes from the father of the child, and that the father’s seed determines what the child will become – male or female, amongst many other key features. A child’s DNA is basically the ‘intellegence’ behind who they become. The DNA contributes to their looks, overall health, stature, and temperament, etc.
Both the seed and the egg provide DNA, though certain aspects of the child’s make up are determined by the seed. The egg also has its own relevant ‘special’ ingredients, if you will? The egg provides all of the nutrients that the embryo requires in its initial stages of growth.
When we compare these four ingredients, we can liken the water to the Mother’s egg. We can also liken The Spirit to the father’s seed. Let’s see what God’s Word tells us about “The Water” and “The Spirit”…
Ingredient #1: The Water
John 4:6-14 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give Me to drink. (For His disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the Gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto Him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that living water? Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Jesus said that He would give this “living water” and that those who drink it “shall never thirst”. He also said, “but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” “The Water” that Jesus was referring to here was His Word. He was traveling around, preaching The Kingdom of God. -He was giving God’s Word to the people. Jesus Christ is The Word of God!
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 1:1-4 In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was The Light of Men.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of The Only Begotten of The Father,) full of grace and truth.
Water is not only good to drink, it also washes things… The Water = The Word of God
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by The Word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ingredient #2: The Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Where do we find out about the “deep” things of God? In His Word… no wonder Jesus said that we must be born of Water and Spirit! We can all read God’s Word, but we need the gift of His Spirit to teach us what the true meaning of His Word is!
1 Corinthians 2:11-12 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but The Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but The Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(Remember how it was said earlier that God wants us to understand how He saves us?)
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the Words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned.
John 14:25-26 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But The Comforter, which is The Holy Ghost, whom The Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth (quickeneth means: makes alive here); the flesh profiteth nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.
Conversion/Spiritual Conception
So, where does it all begin, or “where do I get started”, you might ask? -Just like the physical, the Spiritual birth starts with conception: first we hear The Word of God:
1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in The Wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
…then comes the conception part, The Holy Bible teaches that this is “conversion”.
Matthew 18:2-3 And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set Him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
What does this Word “conversion” mean? It simply means that you have been ‘changed’ with a purpose to serve God. How? By receiving the gift of His Spirit.
Remember how we must be born of “Water” and “Spirit”? Well, anyone can pick up a bible, but we have already proved through scripture herein that not everyone can understand it! News flash though… if God does not give us His Spirit, we will never have it!
Repentance and Baptism/Taking our First Steps in Christ (Truth)
Did anyone here notice that Jesus did not tell Nicodemus that he had to repent and/or be baptized? Maybe Nicodemus had already heard this? He heard something because something provoked him to come secretly at night to talk with Jesus, right? He even said to Jesus, John 3:2 “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.”
Evidently this was not enough information for Nicodemus to understand that there was a little more than these simple “first works” to merit salvation in the sight of God. Uh Oh, yes, I said it, “works”. Not only that, but “first works”. Let’s back these statements up, shall we?
Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left Thy First Love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of His place, except thou repent.
People God is all about obedience – always has been and always will be!
Malachi 3:6 For I am The Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
We must be obedient to the “first works” that God has commanded in order to be eligible to receive the gift of His Holy Spirit… think not?
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Acts 5:32 And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.
Which of all of the many commandments of Christ is Acts 5:32 referring to, that we should obey?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in The Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive The Gift of The Holy Ghost.
Growing in Grace/The Second and Third Trimester of Christ Being Formed in Us
Okay, so now we have been converted and conceived into the realm of God’s Kingdom. Let’s not turn back now! What’s next?
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of The Doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free.
The lies and temptations along the way… 2 Peter 3:17-18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Thank God for renewing our minds to be filled with His Word!
The trials and tribulation that removes the impurities from our lives… Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
No wonder Paul said, concerning his converts: Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you
The End Result – Rebirth or “Spiritual Birth” as A Son of God
Guess what? After you continue a while, allowing God to complete His work in you:
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
You have now been “born again”, “a New Creature in Christ”, “saved”, “sanctified”, “redeemed”, “A Son of God”. Praise God!
Let’s ask this question… how does this “Spiritual rebirth” compare to the natural physical birth of man? And why does it please God for us to reborn? We are reborn as a “Son of God”.
This means that prior to the rebirth, we were not a “Son of God”. What do we mean by this? Here is the condition that we find all men in naturally from the physical birth of their mother’s womb…
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
Jesus said, John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Free from what??? -SIN! God came to save us, not IN our sin, but FROM our sin!
Matthew 1:20-21 But while he thought on these things, behold, The Angel of The Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of The Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His People from their sins.
…and again – the result of being “Born Again”, having the understanding of the plan of salvation as revealed by His Spirit within His Holy Word…
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Now Folks, let’s be clear here – there is absolutely no way that we could ever be obedient to this and many other commandments of God on our own; with our own wisdom, understanding, and our will. This is why we must be Born Again of His Word, by His Spirit.
Titus 3:3-8 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and Love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and Renewing of The Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His Grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
So, what is God telling us here? Go. Do your first works. Confront the enemy! March around that city for seven days! Do whatever God’s Word tells you to do (no matter how insignificant it might seem), and watch Him take down that city of sin in your life!
Rubber Meets The Road to Salvation
So, we see how that not only God’s Word (The Water or knowledge) is essential to our new birth, but also the Truth or the intended understanding of God’s Word (by The Holy Spirit and the understanding of His Will to save us from sin.)
Is this sinking in for you? If not, it may be because the common teaching in the world today is that salvation comes in an instant of time – Not so! It is a process applied through God’s wisdom.
First: we hear God’s Word (knowledge), then through prudence and patience we endure the cross (by wisdom.) Then: as they say, “practice makes perfect”; we gain understanding, becoming fully able to keep His Word! Did Christ die, was buried, and rose again alive all in the twinkling of an eye? This should tell us something Folks! How long did He suffer? Just at the cross? Nope…
Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of The Operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.
No matter how we turn it, "Being Saved", "Born Again", "A New Creature in Christ", "Redeemed of The Lord", etc., it all points back to that one narrow road that leads to God's heart: Obedience. We have to want Him more than we want anything else!
Philippians 3:7-11 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through The Faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know Him, and The Power of His Resurrection, and The Fellowship of His Sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
I pray that God blesses all who has an ear to hear with courage, and with the wisdom and understanding that can only be found within his precious Word. May His Peace be with you all! Amen.
rob@INTRUTH.site
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
#BornAgain #Incorruptible #ANewCreature #SinDoesntLiveHereAnymore
