My dear readers,

On the need to be BORN AGAIN …. Time Up!
(Dr SH Tow, Reformation Banner September/October 1982)

ONE witty person made this observation: In this world of uncertainty, two things are sure: death and the tax man. Neither of these can be avoided, however you try! The Apostle James says, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (Jas 4:14)

Death may be likened to a preacher, a preacher extraordinary. He fears no man, and favours none. He is not a popular preacher yet he is never without an audience. His Sermon is unmistakable, for he speaks in every language under the sun. He visits the homes of rich and poor alike. He calls on old and young, strong and weak. He is no respecter of persons. His sermon is always the same, one unchanging tune. It is not sweet but very short — just two words: "Time up!"

Only two, but very eloquent words, for he stirs feelings which no other preacher could, and brings tears to eyes that have been dry for years.

His message is neither refined nor polite, but it goes forth with stunning effect. He upsets schedules and plans. He intrudes into happy homes at the most inopportune times. He is never invited but none can refuse him entry.

One day, this preacher will call on your home, suddenly and unannounced. The reality of his presence strikes very hard when someone close to you is the object of his visit. You cannot even be sure that he will not be visiting you. Are you worried?

Only the believer in Jesus Christ can truly say that he is not worried. For him, death holds no fear, for death is but the last lap of his sojourn on earth. He can face this final journey with confidence. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psa 23:4) Do you know the Lord as your Shepherd? Can you say that He will be with you when you pass from this earthly scene.

Not only is there no fear, the believer also faces the prospect of death with thanksgiving to God. The Apostle Paul has this to say "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:12-14).

Are you a believer? Have you been delivered from the power of darkness? Have you put all your trust in Jesus Christ? If so, you have a part in the inheritance of the saints in God’s Kingdom of light. You have been delivered from the power of darkness and death. You have been translated or removed out of this perishing world into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. For you, then, there is a glorious prospect ahead, a blessed assurance of a place in God’s eternal Kingdom.

God’s Kingdom is at hand! It is near, even at the doors! Christians through the centuries, in every land, have been praying "Thy kingdom come." That prayer will soon be answered, when our Lord Jesus "shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God …" (1 Thess 4:16a). Then for the unbelieving world, it will be "TIME UP!" The most attractive and ambitious of human schemes will come to nought, with shocking suddenness and awesome finality.

When God’s Kingdom comes, will you have a part in it? Our Lord came to proclaim it, and to open the way for men and women to enter in. One night, Nicodemus came to enquire of Jesus the way into that Kingdom. He had only a vague idea of the Kingdom, perhaps a socio-political regime to be brought about by some great leader. He was a ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee, well versed in theology. He belonged to the religious establishment, a devout and religious person. Those who knew Nicodemus would have classified him as a highly respectable, moral and model citizen, eminently qualified for membership in the coming Kingdom. Nicodemus himself probably entertained the same opinion and hope.

Imagine his surprise when our Lord plainly declared: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Jn 3:3) You are still far from the Kingdom! Nicodemus was perplexed. Born again? Can a man possibly return to his mother’s womb and be born anew? What do you mean, Rabbi, honourable Teacher?

No, Nicodemus! You may be a religious and moral person, well-instructed in the Scriptures, a respectable member of a large church, regular in attendance at worship services, active in charitable works and social service. But none of these can qualify you for entry into God’s Kingdom. You need to rethink your theology!

Our Lord then reiterated His solemn message: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (Jn 3:5-7)

My dear reader, whoever you are, do you know what it is to be "born again"? Your first birth by earthly parents gave you your physical life which enables you to participate in the things of this physical world. It gives you a share of the cycle of life, "from the cradle to the grave," with its passing joys and fleeting pleasures. Your first birth equips you to enjoy all these — until it is "TIME UP!" This world offers you "gracious living" but not "gracious dying."

This life, and all its "many splendoured things," may be likened to sand-castles which we all love to build at one time or another. When the tide comes in, in a moment everything is washed away. But life is more than a day at the beach. God has something better in store for those who love Him, an inheritance eternal in the heavens that fadeth not away, but "flesh and blood" cannot inherit it.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Your first birth is "flesh and blood." You must be born again, of the Spirit. Only God, the Holy Spirit can give you that new life, which enables you to enter His Kingdom.

You ask me, How can I be born again? How can I receive the new life? Look to Jesus in faith! Call on Him as a dying man calls for the doctor. Thousands of Israelites lay stricken, mortally bitten by fiery serpents in the wilderness, This was God’s punishment for their sins. Those who die in their sins will find themselves in hell. But God gave them the remedy: Look at the brazen serpent uplifted on a pole! Those who believed and looked were healed. "…and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." (Nu 21:9) Those who looked in faith, received a new lease of life. They were "born again."

Even so, we who have been bitten by Satan, may be healed by a look of faith at the Saviour. This was the conclusion of our Lord’s interview with Nicodemus. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (Jn 3:14,15)

In this passing uncertain world of ours, it is the counsel of wisdom that we should all be ready to face the eternal reality at all times. It may be "TIME UP" for you or me before this year of grace is up. It may be much sooner than that! One can never be sure. The Son of man has been lifted up. He is visible to all who care to look. If you will but look to Him in faith, and take Him as your Saviour, a new life comes immediately into you.
Look to Jesus and be born again!

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor