Time to Speak Up
In religious circles, there is an unusual silence regarding a doctrine that is critical to each one of us. This odd quiet can be traced to a fear of being wrong, ridiculed, regarded as weird, lazy, politically incorrect or even cowardly. Whatever the case, it is time to look beyond our fears to consider the deepest intent of God’s heart. John 3:3 sheds very important light on this.
If we read, we learn that the prominent religious leader Nicodemus sought Jesus for a secret meeting by night. In it, Nicodemus asked this upstart how one might enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus replied, “You must be born again.”
After some confusion on Nicodemus’ part, the Lord clarified His point by clearly explaining that all must be born of earthly parents as well as from above in a heartfelt spiritual sense.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ purposefully died for us and His blood sacrifice redeemed us from our fallen and sinful nature. It also says that because of Christ’s unconditional sacrifice and resurrection, we are entitled to everlasting life with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. To do so, according to Jesus, we must be “born again.”
ld Chambers describes the New Testament example of the Christian experience as a personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, such intimacy is rarely touched today. Followers now often reduce the Lord Jesus to a figurehead of a religion — a mere example. Obviously, He is that, but He is infinitely more. He is salvation itself; He is the gospel of God that Nicodemus sought then and the same gospel that we must now accept and believe to be true.
With eternity at stake, remaining silent or choosing to spin in religious circles bears no fruit. Real relationship with God comes to us in receiving His Spirit and truth into our heart. Open and honest testimony that we, like Nicodemus, know Jesus Christ on a personal basis must be heard loudly, clearly, kindly, and directly. Isn’t it amazing that we can live and move and have our being as God’s children and ambassadors? Let us boldly declare that the Kingdom of Heaven is our destined home and the Master’s key is in our being “BORN AGAIN!”
Steven J Bouley, Fairhaven
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