Once a man named Nicodemus, a participant in the religion of the Pharisees, highly respected among the Jews, member of the Sanhedrin (court for judgment) and teacher in Israel, went looking for Jesus hidden at night, as he was intrigued by the miracles that Jesus performed and I wanted to hear it in person.
Nicodemus, arriving in the presence of Jesus, clearly recognized through his words that Jesus came from God and that God was with Him.
John 3:
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.
Then Jesus said to him: John 3:3 Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
Nicodemus did not understand Jesus' words and questioned: John 3:4 How can someone be born when they are old? Nicodemus asked. Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!
Then Jesus said to him: John 3:5 Jesus answered, Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Therefore, as Jesus said to Nicodemus, to achieve salvation, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE that Jesus came from God and that He performed miracles in the past, IT IS NECESSARY TO BE BORN AGAIN, and the foundations of this new birth are:
• THE DEATH of the creature that sinned , who was not faithful to God and who did not love God;
• THE BIRTH of a new being, who from then on is called the child of God, who is faithful to God and who loves him above all else.
John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
This new being, who became the child of God, is no longer a simple creation of God (creature), but, as a son, he became HEIR OF GOD.
» Everyone who is born again does not sin, but delights in the things that belong to God and meditates on them day and night.
Psalm 1:2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
» Everyone who is born again demonstrates the fruits of their new birth, through attitudes, thoughts and words, imitating Christ and seeking holiness, without which no one will see God.
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
» Everyone who is born again is also born of the Spirit, hearing the voice of God, receiving special gifts and talents from God, which enable him to move forward, always.
Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
» Everyone who is born again controls his emotions and himself and his fruits are not of the flesh, but are of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
You can NEVER let the OLD CREATURE REVIVE, because: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
So, STRIVE at all times.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
Pastor Val Martins
