Today’s Reading: John 3:1-14
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God…That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
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You must be born again by the Holy Spirit to see and experience God’s kingdom. It’s not merely optional. It’s essential for eternal life. You must be born again through the Holy Spirit.
Before sin entered the world, God’s first created children, Adam and Eve, walked in perfect harmony with him in the Garden of Eden. Nothing hindered their relationship with him.
When they declared their independence from the Father by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, selfishness entered their hearts. Separation occurred between them and their Father. Their hearts became dead. There was no longer any kingdom rule from God in them.
Sadly, the rebellious sin nature within them has now been passed on to everyone who has ever been born. All human hearts are dead in their sins and trespasses.
Jesus came to earth to reestablish the Father’s personal, loving, intimate relationship with humanity. He came to reestablish his kingdom rule and eternal presence in all hearts. The forgiveness he offers on the cross is intended for the Holy Spirit to flood people’s hearts with his overwhelming love, mercy, and kindness. Where the human heart was once bent toward self, the new spiritual birth causes hearts to be bent toward God’s loving, inward kingdom rule and others.
Has this new birth happened in you? It’s easy to know. Do you desire to do God’s will? Do you want God’s eternal kingdom to rule in your heart? Have you inwardly experienced the breadth, width, and height of his forgiving grace? Do you love to worship him and pray to him—living every moment in joyful thanksgiving and praise for the new life within you?
When you have been spiritually reborn, you know that Jesus lives inside you through the Holy Spirit. He abides permanently in your heart. You are a new creation. Your sins are forgiven and forgotten. You are certain that Jesus is an eternal amnesiac.
You know Jesus will be with you for all of your days on earth. You know you can place all your burdens on his shoulders because he is strong and able to carry them. You can know with certainty that he cares for you. You are indelibly and inextricably connected to him now and for eternity. Isn’t this wonderful news?
And the seeking of his kingdom is now the master passion of your life. Those who desire to do Jesus’ will are his family.
Does this describe you? Have you been born again?
It must happen for you to be a member of God’s kingdom.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]