From Darkness to Light!
“You must be born again.” John 3:7b (NLT)
John concluded the second chapter telling us of the growing interest among the people in Jesus. His public ministry was exploding! In verse 23 (NLT), John wrote: “Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in Him.” One, was a Jewish religious leader named, Nicodemus, that we read about in John 3. He came to Jesus one evening after dark, perhaps afraid of what his peers may think. Afterall, he was a Pharisee. He was deeply religious, but he knew something was missing in his life. Jesus let him know that religion could never save him. Jesus told him, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (Vs. 3)
Like Nicodemus, have you substituted religion for the real thing? Do you have a pious language, but no life, ritual but no reality? Jesus recognized the longing in Nicodemus’ heart. It’s the same longing in our hearts. The real thing, Jesus told Nicodemus, is that which is born of the Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can give life! That’s why Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” (Vs. 7) Have you been born again? As you read this chapter, pause to consider your own life. Put your name in verse 16 and personalize that promise:
“For God loved (your name) so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
That night, Nicodemus came out of the dark! You’ll read about him again in John 7:50-52 and also in John 19:39-40. His faith began to grow as the saving life of Christ developed within him through an intimate and personal relationship. That’s the real thing!
When you come out of the dark into the light of God’s love you experience life – the life God intended you and me to live – His life indwelling us by the presence of the Holy Spirit! It’s a quality of life that has no other explanation but Christ in us. That life begins with a spiritual birth. Have you been born again? Our first day’s reading in John 1:12-13 (NLT) tells us how to be born again. “But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are born – not with physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” You can be born again. Simply believe in Christ and accept Him as your Savior from sin. Receive Him today and experience life!
Like Nicodemus you can settle it today. You may want to pause right now and simply pray,
Lord Jesus, I want to be born again, born from above, born of the Spirit, that I may experience Your saving life. I need You, Lord Jesus. Please forgive me of my sin. I receive You today as my Savior and Lord and choose to follow you the rest of my life. Thank You for giving Your life for me on the cross and rising again to offer Your life to me. Help me to grow closer to You each day as I learn to be the Christian I have now become. I ask this in Your name, Amen
If you prayed that prayer from your heart, you have been born again! Jesus has come by His Holy Spirit to take up residence in your life! He will never leave you or forsake you! I would love to hear from you and pray for you. Welcome to God’s forever family!