Verse of the Day 9/15
John 3:3 ?? Jesus replied,?????Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."???? New International Version (NIV)
You've probably heard the term before, "seeing is believing".???? Over the past few posts we've considered "seeing", to see spiritually, is something that requires faith in God.?? It's one of those things where people can naturally question, which comes first the seeing or believing.?? Today's verses from John 3 and His meeting with Nicodemus gets to the heart of the matter.
The Amplified Bible expands on the thoughts in verse 3:
"unless a person is born again??[reborn from above???spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified],??he cannot??[ever]??see??and??experience the kingdom of God.???
There is a "transformation" that takes place, God opens up the heart of a person and they are transformed, renewed, born again.?? John Piper writes, "What happens in the new birth is not getting new "religion" but getting new life, and what happens in the new birth is not merely affirming the supernatural in Jesus, but experiencing the supernatural in yourself."
If we've been "re-born" it is of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in us which allows us to see, not only see but to experience the change ourselves.?? It is not about what church we go to, wearing a tee shirt or bracelet that expresses faith.?? Seeing Him will involve a change, a change of perspective, a change in direction, a change in attitude; and will lead to a change in destination.?? Are you going through "the change"?
Well I got myself a T-shirt that says what I believe
I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID
I got the necklace and the key chain
And almost everything a good Christian needs, yeah
I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door
And a welcome mat to bless you before you walk across my floor
I got a Jesus bumper sticker
And the outline of a fish stuck on my car
And even though this stuff's all well and good, yeah
I cannot help but ask myself--
What about the change
What about the difference
What about the grace
What about forgiveness
What about a life that's showing
I'm undergoing the change, yeah
I'm undergoing the change???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (The Change - Steven Curtis Chapman)
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
John 3:1-8??Amplified Bible (AMP)
The New Birth
3??Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews,??2??who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, ???Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him.?????3??Jesus answered him,?????I assure you??and??most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again??[reborn from above???spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified],??he cannot??[ever]??see??and??experience the kingdom of God.???
4??Nicodemus said to Him, ???How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother???s womb a second time and be born, can he??????5??Jesus answered,?????I assure you??and??most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot??[ever]??enter the kingdom of God.??6??That which is born of the flesh is flesh??[the physical is merely physical],??and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.??7??Do not be surprised that I have told you, ???You must be born again??[reborn from above???spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].?????8??The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.???
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