Born of Water and Spirit.

Today's reading: 'Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."' John 3:5

I am a bit behind in my personal study time, but I have been reading the gospel of John and working through the John MacArthur workbook on Unleashing God's Truth: One Verse at a Time. It is a lot to absorb. There have been times I wish I had a Bible study buddy. Actually, I have felt this need for a long time, for accountability and growth. You know, when you work out at the gym and are exercising, motivation on your own seems to lag often. And, if you had a partner to workout with, it would make time exercising more productive and conducive towards growth. I just think things are better done in pairs. Has it ever made you wonder why God chose two of each animal to board the ark back in the days of Noah, aside from procreation? Just a thought.

In the beginning of John 3, Jesus is talking about "water" in a way that implies the need for cleansing. He was using Old Testament imagery to emphasize the need for purification. This is one of the side notes in my study. Jesus, also continues to allude to in John 3:6 that, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." During this time Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he needed to be "born again," that is, to have a spiritual rebirth. Additionally, Jesus used the example of the wind in comparison to the Spirit in verse 8, so as to show how the Spirit works. You cannot see the wind, but you know it is there. Nicodemus had a difficult time with this, I think, but he was starting to come around to believing what Jesus was saying to him. One fact that showed that Nicodemus was receptive to his encounter with Jesus was, he believed that no one could do the things Jesus was doing unless he was sent from God. This is important to remember.

If you re-read John 3, what are the things that result from a sincere belief in Jesus? (see vv. 12, 13, 16, 18 and 36 for reference). As I did this study, my response was first, that Jesus will reveal heavenly things to us. Secondly, we will one day be in heaven with Jesus. If you are unsure about this, remember the guy on the cross that asked Jesus to remember him. Thirdly, through our faith in Jesus, we have have the hope in His promise to us for eternal life. Fourthly, let me answer this carefully; if we are in Christ, then we will not be judged. As I said, let me answer this part carefully. I don't think we will be judged in the same way as the unbeliever will be judged. I guess a better word for 'judged' is the word 'condemned.' If we are in Jesus, we do not stand condemned. I think it is at this point that many people get turned off by Christianity because they hear only the word "condemn," and neglect to see that Jesus came so that no one would perish but have everlasting life. (see John 3: 16-17) I think it is at this point of decision that people become their worst enemies. Just so you know, God does not send people to be condemned, people condemn themselves through their unbelief.

The above mentioned, all stems on what you come to believe about Jesus. In other words, you are faced with a crisis of belief; and which way will you choose to go? If you believe the whole story of why Jesus came, you will understand that God takes no pleasure in condemning anyone, but He does relinquish Himself from us if we continually choose to deny him and not believe. This leads to my last response because, without faith in Jesus, we will face God's wrath. Although God is long suffering, that does not mean He does not get angry. Have you seen the way the world runs today? God is a holy God, righteous and true. The world is black as sin, and dying because of spiritual bankruptcy. You think our economy is bad, try having no economy of the heart.

Just a few words in closing about water. Water cleanses, it quenches thirst, and it gives life. Jesus is the only living water that can cleanse us and make us clean. He is the only one who can take away our thirst. And, Jesus is the only one who can give us new life.  Remember  today to thank God for the living water that He has given you in Christ, the newness of life you have in Him through his cleansing of your heart. Thank God for his goodness and His awesome love and for bringing into you a new spirit. 

My prayer for today is: Jesus, thank you for loving us, for giving us new life. Thank you that we no longer have to be thirsty in the world, but that we can hunger and thirst for your righteousness. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, and revive us. Rekindle our love for you in a way that is like no other. Fill our hearts with your peace.  Continue to work in our hearts to make us clean. Let us decrease that you might increase.(See John 3: 30) In your name, Amen.