Water and Spirit

The Bible records an interaction between Jesus and the Pharisee Nicodemus in John 3:1-21.  Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.  The reason never stated, but fear of the Jews represents the likely cause for the dark hour.  Nicodemus presents a conclusion regarding Jesus identity and then he asks two sets of questions based upon the responses of Jesus.

First, Nicodemus stated that Jesus came from God and the signs which He performed verified that conclusion (vs. 2).  Often men see evidence, but refuse to accept it.  Jesus fulfilled a great number of prophecies in coming to man – Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 7:14, 9:1-7, 32:1-4, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 9:9-12 to note a few.  The Jews had been looking for the messiah.  They knew the signs and some accepted Jesus as Messiah.  However, the majority did not readily or openly embrace Him due to fear (John 7:13, John 11:48, John 19:38), hatred (John 15:18-23), or ignorance (Acts 17:30).  Unlike the men who do not act upon the evidence of God in creation (Romans 1:19-24), Nicodemus chose to embrace the evidence surrounding Christ’s origin and seek further knowledge (Matthew 7:7).  The Bible records all the evidence man needs to accept Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The question for man today revolves around whether or not man chooses to accept or reject Christ.

Second, Jesus comment to Nicodemus (“Truly, truly, I saw to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5) caused Nicodemus to ask how exactly a man could be born again.  Nicodemus’ mind focused on the flesh and fleshly birth.  However, Jesus spoke of the birth of the spirit.  The spirit of man needs to be born again because when man sins his spirit becomes dead to God (Genesis 2:17, Romans 3:23, 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:13-14).  The question must therefore be how does this rebirth occur?  It occurs by water and the Spirit according to Jesus.  The Lord furthermore compares this teaching to the wind.  Man does not understand wind in complete.  Yet, he acknowledges the existence of wind because he sees the evidence of it.  Man also cannot see a spiritual birth, but this does not make it any less real as its evidence certainly exists.  Of necessity, this requires faith.  As Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Since Nicodemus recognized Jesus as coming from God, the concept of a rebirth should not have been questioned, but accepted by faith.

Finally, Nicodemus still not comprehending the concept of rebirth asks, “How can these things be?” (John 3:9)  Jesus expresses disappointment that Nicodemus cannot grasp concepts beyond the physical.  Through the Old Testament a teacher should have been able to discern the identity of Jesus as the Messiah.  In such discernment, adherence to Jesus Words would be paramount.  Unfortunately, the Pharisees did not grasp onto the teachings of Jesus.  Jesus makes it clear in verses 13-21 that those who do not believe in him love the things of the world and do the deeds of it.  By not believing on Jesus they can be judged to be of the world.  Those who do believe on Jesus would by necessary inference follow the teachings of Jesus and act accordingly.  Their actions judge them according to eternal life and salvation.

Taking the passage of Nicodemus and Jesus and examining it, the conclusion derived must be to believe on Jesus and His Word.  Jesus makes it clear this involves obedient deeds which verify one does believe.  Consequently, when Jesus says “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” man needs to accept such a teaching in faith and act.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles that they might receive “all truth” (John 16:13).  Knowing all truth, Peter told the Jews on the day of Pentecost to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Their dead spirits became born again out of a spirit of obedience to Christ and their bodies born out of water – A birth of water and spirit just as Jesus spoke.  This scene occurs throughout the book of Acts (Acts 2:38, 8:36-38, 9:18, 10:47-48, 16:15, 16:31-33, 19:15, 22:16).  Peter also told Christians in 1 Peter 3:21 – “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”.  The apostle Paul realized once he was alive, but he died with sin (a spiritual death – Romans 7-9).  When man washes himself in Christ through baptism, he dies to sin and becomes alive once more (Romans 6:5-11).

When someone truly believes, Christ said their deeds of obedience show it.  They will be born of water and spirit through baptism.  Where do you stand with Christ?  Are you choosing to reject Him as much of the world does, proclaiming you believe but continuing to walk in a futile way of life (Ephesians 4:17-19)?  Or are you choosing to demonstrate your believe through obedience showing your love for Christ (John 14:15)?  It is widely believed that Nicodemus examined the evidence and ultimately chose to be faithful to Christ, what have you done with the evidence before you?

Romans 6:16 – “Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

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You Have Ruined My Life

The other day my wife was working on laundry in our bedroom and, as is her standard operating procedure, she had some sappy, corny, love-story movie on as she was folding clothes. I must learn to avoid these times because, as much as I hate to admit it, I often get sucked into the show and I have far too many, more important, things to do.

However, as I struggled with my dilemma on this particular occasion, one of the characters in the show exclaims to her nemesis, “You’ve ruined my life!” At which time I looked at Colleen and asked, “Did she really?” How often do people over-estimate the importance or effects of certain events in their lives? I remember the first real girlfriend I ever had that broke up with me and how devastated I was. Looking back now in hindsight: not a big deal! The older I get, and the more I understand about what is really important in life; the less I see that could “ruin it.” The fact is the only thing, or person, that could ruin my life, is me! How I live, either in obedience and faithful service to God and man or not, will determine my success or failure. In 1 Peter 3.10-11 Peter quotes from the Psalmist David saying:

“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.”

Isn’t the simplicity of God’s Word beautiful? If we want to be able to love our lives and realize happiness then all we have to do is keep our tongues from speaking evil and lies, turn away from what God calls evil and seek what is righteous, desire the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4.7), and pursue it. Solomon in his God given wisdom said it in the most simplistic of terms when he wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12.13).

What is troubling you and me is more often than not simply not worth the trouble! We are instructed to cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5.7). If we desire the blessings of God in our lives we must “seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness…” (Matthew 6.33). We must be obedient to Jesus (i.e. we must obey the Plan of Salvation and be baptized into Christ and His body for the remission of our sins) in order to receive God’s spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1.3) and we must be faithful (Revelation 2.10; 1 John 1.7).

As we begin to put a close to the year that is almost behind us, and look forward to a new year ahead, let us be determined to not let anything or anyone ruin our lives! If you are not a child of God, because you have not yet turned your life over to him in humbled, submissive obedience, do it today. Repent of your sins (Acts 17.30), confess Jesus as the only begotten Son of God (Romans 10.10), and be buried with Him in baptism for the remission of your sins (Acts 2.38; Galatians 3.27; 1 Peter 3.21). And if you have done these things…Be Faithful!

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Defeated

As boys, my brother and I would always play a game where he would try to hit my hand before I could take it away.  We frequently played this game at the kitchen table and over the years, we actually wore a smooth spot into the table from all the times he missed my hand.  At times it really took a lot of coaxing to get my brother to play the game because he hated losing.  He felt defeated as if he could never win.  Why did he keep trying?

I watched a Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) playoff game last night.  The Lakers played the Oklahoma Thunder two nights before and had gotten flattened by more than twenty points.  In the next game, the Lakers nearly controlled the entire game.  Their confidence stood greatly bolstered compared to their prior loss.  Yet, with a seven point lead and two minutes to go in the game, the Lakers turned the ball over three times without a score.  In the end, they lost a game that looked like a win for them.  What more could they have done?  They played an excellent game, a commanding game, and still they stood defeated.  Only two losses from exiting the playoffs, the odds greatly against them, what motivation will push them to put forth the effort to win?

The apostle Peter loved Jesus.  He knew Jesus as a peaceful man who proclaimed the kingdom of God.  Yet, in the garden of Gethsemane, Peter acted outside of peacefulness.  He drew his sword as a mob of men led by Judas Iscariot encircled Jesus.  Then he chopped off the ear of one of the advancing men (John 18:1-11).  Jesus called a halt to the violence immediately.  Peter knew better, but could not control himself.  His own instincts momentarily overcame his devotion to Jesus teaching.  The moment represented a defeat for Peter.

Prior to the occurrence in the garden, Peter swore his allegiance to Jesus (Matthew 26:35).  After the men took Jesus from the garden to Annas, father-in-law of the High Priest Caiaphas, Peter followed behind to see what would happen.  Three times people questioned Peter if he knew Jesus.  Once again, Peter could not control his worldly instincts.  He denied knowing Jesus each time though he said he never would (John 18:12-27).  His bold proclamations of allegiance fell in defeat.

Peter recovered from his self defeat.  He went on to share the first gospel sermon providing entrance into the kingdom of God (Acts 2).  He taught the household of Cornelius, gentiles upon whom the Holy Spirit pouted out, who would also enter the kingdom of God.  Yet, Peter’s failing did not come to an end.  The apostle Paul speaks in Galatians 2:11-14 of Peter separating himself from Gentile Christians out of fear of the Jews.  Once again, Peter found himself defeated by his sinful actions.

What keeps a person going when he experiences defeat?  The motivation that appears and picks up the defeated is hope.  Hope of winning kept my brother playing our childhood game.  Hope that the Lakers can turn things around keeps them trying game by game year by year.  Hope kept Peter moving forward.  It is hope that he shares in the letter to the Christians scattered abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.  The hope he directs Christians toward centers on the return of Jesus.  I Peter 1:13 – “Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober inspirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”   Christians rise above defeat because of hope.  Only defeat lies ahead if you are not a Christian (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).  Embrace Christ today and overcome defeat (I John 5:1-5)!

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A Divine Guide

One of the great obstacles to true unity is the great variety of religious sources of authority. The problem of unity has always been a desired status, even our Lord desires unity, cf.  John 17:20-21, “20 Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, (art) in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.” (ASV)

Philippians 2:2, “ make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;” (ASV)

Acts 2:46, “And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,” (ASV)

Acts 4:24, “And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:” (ASV)

The above, inspired writers of the New Testament, all encouraged their hearers and readers to submit to the authority of God

NOTE:  Peter and the apostles declaration to the doubters on the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:14-17, “14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke forth unto them, (saying), Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is (but) the third hour of the day. 16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:” (ASV)

Jesus Christ claims “all authority” now, cf. Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came to them and spoke unto them, saying, all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.” (ASV)

This declaration by Christ after he had risen from the dead is the same authority that we are willing to accept today. This is the authority that insures us when we believe and obey the gospel  that we are saved from our sins –cf. Hebrews 5:8-9, “8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;” (ASV) Indeed, whatever Christ has said and whatever He has caused to be written is our religious authority today. To suggest that there are other acceptable religious authorities is to deny the authority of Jesus Christ and bring upon man a condemnation from God Almighty.

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Count Your Blessings

“Count Your Blessings.” In the twenty-third Psalm David wrote of the vastness of God’s blessings when he said, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” The idea of counting our
every blessing is an intriguing one to be sure. We certainly give it plenty of lip service
and we even on occasion sing about the bountiful blessings of God. It is because what
David said is true, that our cup does indeed run over, that it is certainly not possible to
sit down and count every blessing. However, though it may an exercise in futility, it is
profitable for us to stop frequently to consider the many blessings God has bestowed
upon us. Not only that, but it is also our duty to meditate upon the goodness of God.

“Name Them One By One.” Some think of their blessings only en masse, in the
abstract; with broad general strokes we thank God for them. There is however an
urgent need in our lives to begin thinking of God’s blessings more specifically. We need
to particularize our blessings in order to fully understand the graciousness of God. This
will also allow us to come to a fuller understanding as to our utter dependence upon
Him. It is He who holds all things together and upholds the universe by the power of His word (Colossians 1.17; Hebrews 1.3).

“And It Will Surprise You.” In Malachi 3.10 God says, “…put me to the test.” If we will
not only be truly thankful for all that we have and rightly give God the glory for the
blessings in our life, He will bless us beyond compare. This means that I must first give
myself to Him (Luke 14.26; Matthew 16.24; 2 Corinthians 5.8). The wealth of His
blessings will astonish us if we give to Him (physically, spiritually, and thankfully) as He
has prospered us (Luke 6.38; 1 Corinthians 16.2). “Oh that men would praise the LORD
for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107.8)!

“What The Lord Hath Done.” Remember the glory belongs to God! What has God done
for you in this life? How blessed are we both physically and spiritually? God has given
you life! He has blessed you with the fullness of the earth. He has cared for us
spiritually and given us the hope of eternal life in the sacrifice of His dear Son. The
problem for so many of us is that we hold on to all that we have as though it is ours by
our own power. We fail to see that it is God who has shared with us what belongs to
Him. We give ourselves praise, honor and glory for what we have, not Him. There
needs to be a change in our attitude toward the blessings of God. And when there is,
how wonderful will be the vision, when the haze of selfishness and pride is lifted.

First of all if you are not a Christian today, take a good hard look at what God has
already done for you. Especially for His love and mercy! Love Him in return by being
obedient to Him (John 14.15). Hear the Word of God (Romans 10.17); believe on the
name of the Lord Jesus, the Christ (Mark 16.16); confess Him as the only begotten Son
of God (Matthew 10.32-33); repent of your sins (Luke 13.3); be buried with him in
baptism in order to be saved and added to the church (Acts 2.38; Galatians 3.27; 1
Peter 3.21). Then be thankful and be faithful!

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