RPG Adults
YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN
LORD’S DAY, JULY 2
John 3:1-18
1 Peter 1:3
“Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN
The Pharisees were rebuked by the Lord Jesus for their hypocrisy (Matt 23). However, in John 3, we see a good Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (v 1) and a teacher of Israel (v 10), coming to see Jesus by night. Why by night? Maybe he did not have enough courage to see Jesus by day for fear of the Jews. He did not want other rulers and Pharisees to see him associating with the Lord Jesus, whom they envied, hated and persecuted. But after this meeting with the Lord, his life was changed. Later we see him having the courage to stand up for Jesus while the high priests and other Pharisees were against Him (John 7:50-51). And finally, when Jesus died, he had the courage to bring with him 100 pounds of perfume for the burial of the Lord Jesus (John 19:39-42).
In John 3, Nicodemus said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” What do you do when someone comes to you and says nice words to praise you, “Oh, you are so good. I can see the Lord in you!” It is easy for you and me to feel good and not want to say anything offensive to that person. But here, Jesus concerned for Nicodemus’s salvation, said to him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus was very surprised, asking Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” Jesus confirmed, “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,” and then Jesus said to all who were present there, “Ye must be born again.” This is the key condition to see the Kingdom of God and to enter the Kingdom of God, to see the truth, to understand God’s Word and to enjoy God’s salvation. Are you and I sure that we are born again?
THOUGHT: Make sure that we are born again and then be concerned for others’ salvation.
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, for Thy concern for my salvation.