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REGENERATION NOT REINCARNATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
John 2:23-3:21

Romans 8:1-16

 

“…Ye must be born again.”

 

REGENERATION NOT REINCARNATION
 
Before a person can enter into the kingdom of God, he must be “born again” or “born from above.” Nicodemus wrongly thought that to be born again meant to go back into his mother’s womb and be born physically a second time. As a Pharisee — a doctor of theology — Nicodemus should have known what Jesus meant when He said, “Ye must be born again.” What Jesus propounded was not new. It is as old as the Old Testament. To become a citizen of God’s heavenly kingdom, one must be born from heaven, born spiritually (John 3:31, 8:23, 19:11). Jesus explained, “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.” The water refers to the regenerative water of the Spirit that cleanses a soul from sin. Titus 3:5 makes clear, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
 
Nicodemus as a Pharisee had always thought that salvation came by way of keeping the Law and doing good works. In order to be saved, a person must be indwelt by the Holy Spirit received at the moment of faith applied by the grace of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. …Ye must be born again. …born of the Spirit.” Since “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17), Jesus preached to Nicodemus the good news of salvation in Himself; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “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” (John 3:14-15). Obviously, Jesus was alluding to His death on the cross. On that cruel tree, Jesus was made a curse for us. He, as our Substitute, bore the penalty of our sins. He took our place, and did all that had to be done to redeem us. Now it is only a matter of simply believing in Him if we want to be saved.
 
THOUGHT: Am I born again?

PRAYER: Father, may Jesus save me.

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