our new birth
John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you,
no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” NIV
In John 3, Jesus is having a conversation with one of Israel’s foremost religious leaders. In their discussion, Jesus tells Nicodemus that ‘no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ Nicodemus, thinking like an adult, trying to understand a spiritual reality through his intellect, responds to Jesus by asking how he could possibly re-enter his mother’s womb for that to happen. (1)
Jesus goes on to explain that what He is talking about can only be spiritually discerned because ‘flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit’. (2) Of course, Nicodemus still didn’t get it because his intellect and religious training were getting in the way of his heart.
In evangelical circles, we all agree that we need to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. But the problem is, we have developed a theology that says after our spiritual rebirth, we need to quickly grow up again so we can get to work.
The thing is, Jesus didn’t say we are to change and become ‘adult-like’ in His Kingdom. He clearly said that our new birth experience would usher us into the Kingdom of His Father where we could begin to enjoy life as God’s beloved kids. (3) As Abba’s much loved little heirs, we can now focus all our energies on seeking our Father’s Kingdom first, all the while knowing that He is going to look after all of the other details in our life. (4)
For me personally, life only makes sense when I live with a childlike heart and I keep an ongoing awareness that Almighty God is really my Dad. (5) When I forget who I am and try to find acceptance from others by being grown up again, I only add unnecessary burdens to my backpack. But as soon as I come to my senses and remind myself that I am just little, I come running back into my Dad’s arms and bask in the warmth and security of His strong embrace. (6)
Would you be willing today to ask God to show you the mind blowing ramifications of your new birth into His Kingdom? Would you be willing to embrace the new creation reality of the new you that Jesus secured on a cross? (7) And would you dare to think beyond the traditional religious limitations you have been taught and ask your Abba to show you how heaven sees you as His beloved heir? (8) After all, because of your new birth, God has made you a partaker of His own divine nature! (9)
Jesus goes on to explain that what He is talking about can only be spiritually discerned because ‘flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit’. (2) Of course, Nicodemus still didn’t get it because his intellect and religious training were getting in the way of his heart.
In evangelical circles, we all agree that we need to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. But the problem is, we have developed a theology that says after our spiritual rebirth, we need to quickly grow up again so we can get to work.
The thing is, Jesus didn’t say we are to change and become ‘adult-like’ in His Kingdom. He clearly said that our new birth experience would usher us into the Kingdom of His Father where we could begin to enjoy life as God’s beloved kids. (3) As Abba’s much loved little heirs, we can now focus all our energies on seeking our Father’s Kingdom first, all the while knowing that He is going to look after all of the other details in our life. (4)
For me personally, life only makes sense when I live with a childlike heart and I keep an ongoing awareness that Almighty God is really my Dad. (5) When I forget who I am and try to find acceptance from others by being grown up again, I only add unnecessary burdens to my backpack. But as soon as I come to my senses and remind myself that I am just little, I come running back into my Dad’s arms and bask in the warmth and security of His strong embrace. (6)
Would you be willing today to ask God to show you the mind blowing ramifications of your new birth into His Kingdom? Would you be willing to embrace the new creation reality of the new you that Jesus secured on a cross? (7) And would you dare to think beyond the traditional religious limitations you have been taught and ask your Abba to show you how heaven sees you as His beloved heir? (8) After all, because of your new birth, God has made you a partaker of His own divine nature! (9)
(1) John 3:4; (2) John 3:5-6; (3) 1 John 3:1; (4) Matthew 6:33-34; (5) 2 Corinthians 6:18; (6) Isaiah 40:11;
(7) 2 Corinthians 5:17; (8) Hebrews 1:14; (9) 2 Peter 1:4.
(7) 2 Corinthians 5:17; (8) Hebrews 1:14; (9) 2 Peter 1:4.