Thoughts and reflections from John 3
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Chapter 3 offers us much in regards to godliness. I will reflect specifically on the teaching offered to Nicodemus and being born again “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.” (3:3) Nicodemus’ response is of the physical nature. He ponders, “How can I be born again? I can’t climb back into the womb? How is this possible?” Jesus reply is “No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” Now, some people out there don’t feel like Jesus is talking about baptism here. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. What Jesus is saying is “NO ONE CAN SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITHOUT BEING BORN AGAIN.” As Paul establishes in Romans, the wages of sin is death and we are born as slaves to that sin. The condition of our flesh is death; there is no way around it. Jesus says, “Seeing the kingdom is a matter of being born again.” I receive new life in Christ through my belief, faith, confession and baptism in Christ. The implications of this teaching of Jesus are and always will be in my mind concerning immersion and baptism in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So what I am saying is in chapter 3 of John, Jesus is teaching a new birth through baptism. We see, in the book of Acts that Christian baptism is a matter of water and Spirit. “Repent and be baptized (immersed in water), every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38. Through baptism, I’m dead to sin and alive to Christ. I enjoy a new life in Jesus Christ. To be born again, is not to reenter my mother’s womb, but to enter my baptismal waters and arise a new life, created anew in Christ Jesus. How this applies to our world – taking a look at John chapter 3 it is difficult not to mention verse 3:16. The hope of our world is Jesus Christ. Believing in him offers the gift of eternal life. But for the first time, in my reading of John 3, it’s verse 18 that stands out. For those who choose not to believe in Christ, there is condemnation. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us (verse 17), according to verse 18, we condemn ourselves by opting out of belief in Christ. The application for our world is simple, Jesus Christ is the light of the world and people must step into that light. Jesus is the hope of the world, the Savior of the world, and we must choose to believe in him. What is the application for me? Verse 18 has recaptured my heart. Too many people in our world stand condemned because they lack faith in Jesus Christ. What am I doing to share the hope of Christ with others? Is my preaching calling others to faith in Jesus Christ? Am I displaying the sort of urgency of ministers of the past? The world is lost without Christ. I must use what opportunities Christ has given me to proclaim Christ Jesus, the light of the world. Prayer from the scriptures: Thank you Father for displaying your incomprehensible love for us by sending your Son from heaven into this world. May my life display the full measure of faith, belief and trust in Jesus Christ. May I also share that belief with others, that people will come to faith in Jesus Christ, and enjoy the life eternal. In Jesus name, the name of salvation and eternal life, Amen.
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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