Today, God placed on my heart JOHN 3. In this chapter, we learn the importance of being born-again. When I was a baby in Christ, I didn't know the significance & what Jesus meant when He said that we can't go to Heaven w/o being BORN AGAIN. Most people, think that Jesus solely meant water baptism. This is far from the truth. We have to consider all facts: timing is everything! (Consider dispensations: my next blog post…) The customs were a whole lot different. And, Jesus had not gone to the cross yet. In fact, one of the guys on the cross who died beside Him, was a sinner saved by GRACE! He did not have time for a water baptism. All he had was faith. And that's all we can do to get God to move on our behalf: FAITH! So let's get started… I'm reading from my NKJV Bible. I have lots of highlighters on hand, including a notepad & pen. The book of John is a beautifully written story of Jesus Christ. (The Gospel)
John 3New King James Version (NKJV)
The New Birth
1There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Why did this man come to Jesus by night? Could it be because he was a religious Pharisee and didn't want to lose his popular reputation? Very likely. He knew Jesus was The Truth but he was ashamed. In the dark, he wouldn't be exposed. I think this is really wise how this story played out. It's perfectly fitting for the central message of this chapter.
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Because man fell in the Garden of Eden, we must be born-again of incorruptible seed. We cannot go into Heaven (entering into God's presence) in sin. We need a mediator (JESUS) standing in the gap. God is an-all consuming fire. We feel His wrath (fire) w/o being covered in Jesus' blood!
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” This guy was oblivious & spiritually blind.
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Jesus is the water of life! He has the Holy Spirit.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Man gives birth to man. But only the Spirit can give birth to a Spirit. We become NEW CREATIONS when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord & Savior. The Holy Spirit then, activates our SPIRIT-man & we become alive in Christ.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? This religious teacher, was teaching doctrines of men & condemning people because of the Law. Not teaching spiritual heavenly things because he had no knowledge of them.
11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? We can not even fathom heavenly things with our finite minds without the help of the Holy Spirit (our unseen partner).
13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. Our loved ones who died in faith are resting until His return. Because Jesus resurrected from the dead after dying for our sins, we too will rise again!
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, The Israelites were in the wilderness being disobedient. They were being bitten and poisoned by snakes. So Moses was told by God to lift up a bronze snake. All that looked up at that bronze serpent was Saved.
15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Likewise, all that look up to Jesus' finished work on the cross at calvary will be Saved!
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. **LIFE VERSE!** This is the point of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Only Way for salvation is through Jesus Christ. He is the Only One good. And, the only One who has seen the Father. Because, of His sacrifice, we too can know The Father! Everlasting life is not just escaping eternal spiritual death. It's being able to have a relationship with God. That's what Jesus died for! We were separated from Him because of sin. W/o Jesus' sacrifice we would be forever lost. But, thanks be to God for sending us His Son so that we can be reconciled to Him even better than before in the beginning.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Jesus didn't come to judge us. Only God, THE FATHER judges. Jesus came to give us abundant life on earth into eternity.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. There's no condemnation in Christ. Just because we make mistakes, doesn't mean that we are sinners. We are more than just saved by grace. The Bible says that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. We are the righteousness of God. God sees Jesus when He looks at us. He isn't mad at us. He love His children! Be free! The Father has set us free! Grace isn't a license to sin but abounds much to help us dominate sin. Amen! HOWEVER, those who refuse to accept Jesus as Lord (not those who sin because Jesus died for everyone) but those who REJECT THE GOSPEL already stand condemned. They're children of the evil one, wailing in sin, on their way to hell with the wrath of God on them because they reject love. They reject having a relationship with God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Judgement is on those who rather not know God. They rather be slaves to sin & be filled with things of this world.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” Those who love God will reflect His character. Our good deeds are fruits of our relationship with God that bring others to Him and give Him glory. Our good deeds aren't for approval from God because Jesus is the only giver of salvation.
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.
23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. Baptism was completely necessary. They didn't receive the Holy Spirit yet because Jesus had not yet went to the cross & ascend into Heaven. Remember: Jesus HAD to ascend into Heaven in order for the Holy spirit to descend into the hearts of all Believers.*
24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification.
26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. John was telling them that in order for anyone to do such things & for it to have affect, that man must be chosen by God. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah whom he had prepared The Way for.
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. So beautiful! ♥ John was not jealous of Jesus helping him do the job. John knew that his work was temporary & that he had done what God had told him. He was blessed by Jesus' help. He loved him and was satisfied.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease. MORE OF JESUS & LESS OF US! It's not about us, it's ALL about our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!! ALL GLORY & HONOR BELONGS TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER! AMEN
31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. Jesus is the ONE. Jesus is the perfect One. Jesus is the better person. All credit belongs to Him.
32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.
33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. He who believes the message of Grace (The Gospel of Jesus Christ) accepts Him as Lord (THE TRUTH!)
34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. We know God's children by their fruits. And God doesn't anoint just a few of us. He anoints us all. His Holy Spirit lives within ALL BORN-AGAIN BELIEVERS. The only way to know & believe what we do is because of His Holy Spirit. God doesn't hold back His Spirit. If you ask in faith (in spirit & truth) God will freely give to you!
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. Jesus is God's Beloved Son. He is God's only Begotten Son. We are His adopted sons & daughters. Jesus is everything. Therefore, we can do ALL things through Christ!
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins, rose from the dead & is alive today IS SAVED! There is NO CONDEMNATION (IN CHRIST!) Anyone, who does not believe these things are automatically God's enemy. After all He has done for us, it's a horrific thing to reject LOVE. God is happy with His BORN-AGAIN children. However, He is far from the wicked. You have a choice. Your choice is either (A) ACCEPT or (B) reject. There is no second chances. Every knee will bow and confess Jesus as Lord. I want to encourage you to be grateful for Jesus & choose life while there's breath in your body.
Do you want to have a relationship with God. Do you want everlasting life? You must be BORN-AGAIN of incorruptible seed + filled with the Holy Spirit. All that requires is your faith!
With a sincere heart, open up your mouth and confess Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask Him to forgive you from your sins & that you're sorry. Believe that He is the Son of God who died for your sins without having any of His own. Who rose from the dead and is alive today! That is all. You'll be saved. Grow in the grace & knowledge of your Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Get to know Him better by studying the Bible. Find a translation that you'll understand. I started with a children's Bible myself (NiRV)! Don't be ashamed. You will stand before God one day. You want to be rewarded greatly. Be the salt & light of this world. Tell others the good things that the Lord has done for you. Find a bible-teaching church, connect with other believers & always pray!
Don't hesitate to contact me!
Galloway438@gmail.com
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Check out my online shop for my handmade christian bracelets! https://www.etsy.com/shop/womenaftergodsheart
"The Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And he will be called Immanuel" Isaiah 7:14.
Merry Christmas & God bless you!
Jesus loves you so much! XOXO
