In Man’s Greatest Loss, we spoke of the seemingly irreversible situation Adam’s sin left us in. Mankind would now forever be born in the image and likeness of fallen man with an unchangeable nature of sin. Can a leopard change his spots? What can be done to change an inherent nature? After all, we were born this way.
At the close of that post I concluded that “the only possible, impossible solution” for changing a characteristic one was born with, was to be born again. This term “born again”, an expression many have become ‘religiously’ familiar with, has nearly lost its significance. Isn’t the oft used phrase more tangible when heard in the context of our impossible situation?
Perhaps you’ve been told, “You must be born again.” Maybe it seemed just a religious cliché. In light of what I’ve shared of my struggle as a Christian to overcome sin and fruitlessness, you might now see the actual meaning of those words Jesus spoke to the Pharisee, Nicodemus.
As difficult as it was to find my way out of constant failure and frustration, you might find yourself in a worse dilemma. Maybe you’ve never experienced the amazing mercy of God in having received the forgiveness of your sin, made possible by the substitutionary sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, on your behalf. Might I be His ambassador, making appeal to you to be reconciled, reunited to God. He is not counting your trespasses against you! By His death, Jesus paid the penalty and took the judgment that you and I deserved. In Him, God built a bridge that spans the separation created by Adam’s sin, making a way where there seemingly was none. He’s done everything needed to bring to naught everything Adam’s sin brought. Simply believe…and receive.
Don’t miss out. Take the time to read these beautiful words….
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into 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 be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? ….. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
I pray you experience God’s love for you by receiving the free gift of salvation made possible by God giving His Son.
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