Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.
When Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3 that he must be born again, Nicodemus is confused. Jesus elaborates: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (vs. 5-8) This rebirth is spiritual, not physical, and therefore not blatantly obvious like a physical birth is. It is more like the wind.
While I might say, "I see that the wind is blowing," we never actually see the wind. The only way I can tell that it is blowing is by its effects. I see that the trees are swaying, the detritus in the street is being swept along, and I feel air flowing across my scalp. (Insert your own joke.) Jesus says that those born of the Spirit are like the wind.
How do we discern who is born of the Spirit? Are certain people walking down the street with glowing halos above their heads? No, rather those born of the Spirit are like the wind in that we only can tell because of what they do. The way we talk, joke and react when angry should be different from the world. Eph 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up" Eph 5:4 "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." Eph 4:26 "Be angry and do not sin". Our old friends should be able to tell that there is a difference, and they might not like it: "They are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you" (1 Pet. 4:4). Instead of selfish pursuits, love of others is now our defining characteristic: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
We claim to be members of the Kingdom of Heaven, which means we must have been born again of water and the Spirit. Can anyone tell?
Rom. 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Lucas Ward
When Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3 that he must be born again, Nicodemus is confused. Jesus elaborates: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (vs. 5-8) This rebirth is spiritual, not physical, and therefore not blatantly obvious like a physical birth is. It is more like the wind.
While I might say, "I see that the wind is blowing," we never actually see the wind. The only way I can tell that it is blowing is by its effects. I see that the trees are swaying, the detritus in the street is being swept along, and I feel air flowing across my scalp. (Insert your own joke.) Jesus says that those born of the Spirit are like the wind.
How do we discern who is born of the Spirit? Are certain people walking down the street with glowing halos above their heads? No, rather those born of the Spirit are like the wind in that we only can tell because of what they do. The way we talk, joke and react when angry should be different from the world. Eph 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up" Eph 5:4 "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." Eph 4:26 "Be angry and do not sin". Our old friends should be able to tell that there is a difference, and they might not like it: "They are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you" (1 Pet. 4:4). Instead of selfish pursuits, love of others is now our defining characteristic: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
We claim to be members of the Kingdom of Heaven, which means we must have been born again of water and the Spirit. Can anyone tell?
Rom. 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Lucas Ward
Comments