What happens when we fully surrender to Jesus? Yesterday I gave you a hint. It is found in the third chapter of the gospel of John.
Read John 3:1-19 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:1-19&version=NIV (Click back arrow on browser to return here)
Nicodemus apparently was convinced that there was something special with Jesus. The Jewish Ruling Council had been aware of Jesus and his activiites. They had been debating if Jesus was a lunatic or someone they should consider as a prophet/teacher. It's possible that Nicodemus had been selected to visit with Jesus in search of some answers or he came to Jesus on his own in his search of his own answers. Regardless, here he is with Jesus.
Jesus cuts to the chase and tells him, "...no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
Born again? What is that?
As a result of our condemnation, our spirit within us is dead. Paul says that we (our spirit) is dead in our sins. We have no ability to have a living relationship with God until our spirit is made alive. So, how can our spirit be made alive?
Our spirit is alive when we are born again. When we surrender to Jesus Christ as Savior, our spirit is made alive, we are born again. It's that simple. When we believe in Jesus as he tells us in verse 15, "...that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life..." our spirit is made alive. We now have a personal living relationship with Jesus.
Actually, there are many things that happen in that instant we place our faith in Jesus. Let me highlight 3 of them in connection with our sentence on Day 3.
1. Death Physically: Jesus tells us that we will die physically but we will be resurrected with a new body, one that will never die.
2. Death Spiritually: Jesus tells us that we will be made alive, born again, as a result of believing in Him. We will have a living relationship that will never end.
3. Death Eternally: Jesus teaches us that when we believe in Him we will never perish, meaning never experience Hell, but we will have everlasting life with Him in Heaven.
Believing in Jesus is more than just saying a prayer to confirm your faith. It is a LIFE transformation that takes place. The Condemnation has been lifted and we have been Reconciled to him.
What does that word, Reconciled, mean? That is what we will explore this next week.
As you finish: Thank God for lifting the condemnation we are due because of our sin. We have been accused of breaking His law and He is right. The evidence is enormously against us. The sentence fits the crime. But Jesus lifts that condemnation when we believe in Him. What an amazing Savior we have. Thank Him today.
God Bless and see you next week!
No comments:
Post a Comment