7/21/17

"Ye MUST be born again!" Jn 3.3-16

Yesterday morning, the Lord drew this believer's attention to the three times "ye must be born again" is found in the passage of John 3.

Jn 3.7, the Lord tells the Pharisee, Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again!"  There is no discussion, just a command.  However, the Lord in His merciful way that is new every day 1. expounds 2. explains and 3, exhorts the young man in this truth.
  1. First,  an exposition; "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." It seems the Lord completely ignores the man's opening comment.  You see, the Lord knows what is in the heart of man before he ever opens his mouth.  read on...
  2. Next, an explanation,;" 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." Patiently, the Lord gives an explanation to differentiate between physical and spiritual.  In the use of the phrase "born of water," this believer deduces the meaning to be when a woman's water breaks and a baby is born. Then goes on to further expound that, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
  3. Last, an exhortation;  the Lord exhorts with the command, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."  Then, the Lord clarify's exactly what "born again" means, "...so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
To be "born again," is a spiritual transaction, no doubt about it.  What Nicodemus really wanted to know was how to go to heaven.  How to get back to God.  It is apparent by the very nature of His quest, he didn't fully trust what He had been taught about just works according to the law.  Yet, in the true cowardice of the flesh, he came by night to seek out his answers.  He saw that this man, this prophet, Jesus had something, some way about Him that was beyond Nicodemus' training in the law.

After patiently explaining what the young man didn't even know he was asking, the Lord gives a clear distinct command, "Ye MUST be born again."  No if's and's or buts.  

The gospel has never been up for debate or discussion.  The wise old preacher stated, "the gospel is a proclamation," whether one believes or not.  God gets glory whether one gets saved or not.  The sweeter, more amazing truth is that the Lord would open the eyes of one's understanding to the truth, "Ye must be born again."  
Are you?