Are you born again?

Posted on July 21, 2011 by valerie

When Jesus began his teaching ministry, he often upset a lot of “religious”

people.

They thought they knew about God, but Jesus showed them, if they didn’t have

a personal relationship with Him, and the Father, their “religious

beliefs were basically good for nothing.

One night a ruler of the Jews, named Nicodemus
came to speak with Jesus. He was a member of the
Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body, who
had religious jurisdiction over the Jews.

Perhaps he came at night, for fear the leaders in
“his group,” would see him talking to Jesus. He
wouldn’t want to risk persecution or possibly
loose his powerful position in the community.

He had heard many of Jesus teachings, and realized
some of them, were not consistent with the Laws of
the Pharisee’s.

He approached Jesus by saying…

“Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from
God: for no man can do these miracles that thou
does, 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 Heaven.
John 3:2-3

Evidently Jesus wasn’t impressed with Nicodemus
or his flattery. He knew Nicodemus considered
himself to be “religious.” Jesus wanted him and
us to realize, we must be “born again,” to enter
the Kingdom of Heaven.

People who are religious, think they must do
good works, while they are on the earth, so
when they die, God will let them into heaven,
because they have been a good person.

They hope their good deeds, will outweigh the bad.

The problem with this philosophy is, how many good things
must you do?

It would drive you crazy, trying to keep a balance sheet of good and bad.

You could waste your whole life trying to climb a ladder to heaven…

only to find out…You’ve missed the boat.

In our world today we see many who are killing and terrorizing

innocent people, because their religion teaches them to hate, instead

of love as Jesus taught us.

Our God loves us and does not ask us to blow ourselves up…

to kill others, and earn a place in heaven.

To be “born again,” we must realize… all our good works are like

filthy rags in the eyes of the LORD.

Our sins separate us from God. In asking Jesus to be the LORD and Savior

of our life; we rely on His death on the cross, for the forgiveness of our sins.

Our name is then written in the book of life, and we are eternally secure….

and will go to heaven when we die.

The Bible says…

…If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9

Nicodemus questioned Jesus, how a person
could be born again, when they are old? He
asked if a man would have to re-enter his
mother’s womb?

Jesus said…

Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. John 3:5

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit lives inside us.

Our bodies become His temple…and we believe this by faith.

Like the wind, we cannot physically see it, but we can feel it.

Some days it is like a gentle breeze on my face, at other times,

when I’ve taken a turn in the wrong direction…

it feels like I have a tornado churning furiously inside of me.

Submission brings peace…

but rebellion brings turmoil and my nerves are on edge.

Jesus gently reminded Nicodemus of the story in
Numbers 21:4-9

The children of Israel wandered out in the
wilderness for 40 years. Time and time again
they would see God’s miracles, yet whenever
they wouldn’t get their way, they would begin
to grumble and complain.

One time in particular, they spoke out
against Moses and God. They complained
about the bread and water… God sent
fiery serpents among the people and
thousands died.

When he slew them, then they sought him;
and they returned and inquired early after
God. Psalm 78:34

The people came running to Moses confessing
they had sinned, by speaking badly against
him and God. They begged Moses to pray and
ask God to forgive them. Moses had mercy on
them and prayed to God, on their behalf.

God instructed him to make a serpent of
bronze and put it on a pole. Whenever
anyone was bitten, if they would lift their
eyes to the pole, they would be healed, and
live.

We all have sinned against God and fall short of perfection.

Just as the Israelites needed to look at the
serpent on the pole to live, Jesus had to die
for our sins. He hung on the cross, and we
look to Him, for our forgiveness.

The cross builds “a bridge” between God and us, so we may have eternal life.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of man be
lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life. John 3:14-16

Sometimes it helps to actually insert the word me…to make it seem real.

For God so loved ME, that he have his one and only Son.
My sins were the reason He had to die.

My sins crucified Him!

In John 6:28-29 Jesus was asked…

What shall we do, that we might work the
works of God?

To this he replied…

This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It sounds to easy to be true, but it is. The only thing we must do to receive
eternal life, is to believe in Jesus.

When the Holy Spirit lives inside us, he transforms us, from being
self-centered – to being centered in Christ.

Good works are not something we do, but rather
God does… miraculously through us. We do
good, not to please God or earn acceptance…
but in gratitude for Christ’s death on the
cross for us.

When we’re born again, we see the world and
the word of God through new spiritual eyes.

His messages speak to our heart and we begin
to see others with compassion and mercy. We
tell others the good news of salvation,
because we truly love them, as Jesus loved
us. We don’t want anyone to die and be
damned to an eternity of torment.

For by grace are ye saved through faith: and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lets any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10

Let us rejoice in the miracle of this free
gift. May Jesus shine brightly through us,
so that others may have the life, hope and
peace… He alone can bring.

The Apostle Paul wrote beautiful words to remember.

Be ye therefore followers of God as dear
children; And walk in love, as Christ
also hath loved us, and hath given himself
for us an offering and a sacrifice to God
for a sweet-smelling savour.
Ephesians 5:1

Merciful Father in heaven,

We lift up prayers to you for Diana Schulze who has been diagnosed
with cancer. Please reach out your loving arms and bring comfort, healing
and peace to our sister and her family. If it be your will, remove this
cup of suffering…never the less, not our will but thine be done.

We know that each trial is specifically designed by you to
help us grow and become conformed to the likeness of
your Son. Help us to pass our tests and be faithful witnesses
to give glory to your name.

Father we ask for relief from the extreme heat around the world, and for rain.
Thank you for abundant crops, and the perfect amount of rain and sunshine
to make everything grow.

Keep us safe from the plots of the wicked. Give wisdom to our leaders
and help them to govern and rule according to your will. Show them how
to balance the budget, and keep out of debt, so we can lend to many
nations and not borrow, as you have taught us in your word. Watch over
our soldiers and bring and end to the wars and unrest in our world soon.

Thank you LORD for all you have done.
We wait expectantly for your help and deliverance.

We cast all our cares to you, for you care for us.

In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one,
even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in
one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and has loved them,
as thou has loved me. John 17:22-23

Your sister and servant of the LORD,
Valerie Rousseau