How to Be Born Again by Water and the Spirit
Daily Scripture
John 3:1-5
1 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him."
3 Jesus answered, "I assure you, unless someone is born anew [or from above], it's not possible to see God's kingdom."
4 Nicodemus asked, "How is it possible for an adult to be born? It's impossible to enter the mother's womb for a second time and be born, isn't it?"
5 Jesus answered, "I assure you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, it's not possible to enter God's kingdom."
Reflection Questions
Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, "came to Jesus at night." He praised Jesus' "miraculous signs." When Jesus said the vital thing was to be born "anew" or "from above" (the Greek word John used could mean both), Nicodemus seemed stuck on understanding Jesus' words literally. But Jesus wasn't saying people should crawl back into their mother's womb. He was comparing the more abstract idea of spiritual renewal to being born again, as a new person, filled with God's Spirit.
- Part of human development is moving from concrete thought patterns to abstract/conceptual thinking. Nicodemus had surely developed that yet chose a literal meaning for Jesus' words. Maybe that was because inherent in being born again would be the sense that following Jesus isn't a 9-5 job. It's a new way of living that transforms every part of a person's life. How does following Jesus transform your life? Have you/do you ever resist parts of that transformation?
- Jesus said it was necessary to be "born of water and the Spirit." Scripture used the image of water, especially in baptism, to symbolize cleansing from sins. The Holy Spirit is the divine person who comforts, prompts, and sustains the daily spiritual life a baptized person has chosen. Have you chosen both water and the Spirit as means to your life in Christ? (To learn more about baptisms at Resurrection, choose a campus at cor.org and click on the "Baptisms" tab.)
Prayer
Lord Jesus, cleanse my soul with your water which washes away my sin. I invite the Spirit into my life, that I may be born again. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
GPS Guide
Whether you're just starting to explore the Christian faith, or you're a long-time Christian, we want to do everything we can to help you on your journey to know, love and serve God. The GPS (Grow, Pray, Study) Guide provides Scripture and insights to enhance your journey. If you have a question or comment about the GPS Guide, please send it to GPS@cor.org.
Roberta Lyle
Roberta Lyle has been on the Resurrection staff since 2006. She serves as the Program Director for Local Impact Ministries, concentrating on Education, Life Skills and Youth Focused Ministries.
The story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus under the cover of night is a familiar one. The fact that he comes at night usually leads us to speculate that Nicodemus is guarding his reputation and doesn't want to risk being seen as he seeks out Jesus. We are told that Nicodemus is a member of the Pharisees, a group that sought to uphold the many Jewish laws and lead exemplary lives. Even though Nicodemus recognizes Jesus has a special connection to God he is not willing to give up his position and power and give his all to follow Jesus. But he starts his conversation with Jesus with praise and admiration. Maybe Nicodemus hoped to hear an affirmation from Jesus that he was on the right path to holiness, but instead Jesus challenges him to go beyond the rules to experience life changing renewal and transformation.
Like Nicodemus, I can easily come to God with words of praise for the way he reveals himself and thankfulness for the many blessings in my life. But Jesus calls us to deeper spiritual growth and fruitfulness through the agency of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever surprised yourself by saying "yes" to a challenge far outside your comfort zone? That's how the Holy Spirit works, nudging us forward in unexpected ways where we don't know what the outcome will be. We have to hold on in faith, trusting we'll be equipped to meet whatever happens. The spirit compels us into difficult conversations and painful self awareness; out of safety and peace into risk and anxiety.
Sometimes when I hear those whispers my first thoughts are all the good reasons to not do whatever. I'll rationalize that I don't have enough time, or I'm not qualified enough or there's someone else who would do a better job. These excuses can pop up for everything from taking part in a study reading a challenging book, filling a bag or box for a special drive, taking on a volunteer role or somehow going out of my way to be God's hands and feet to people who are hurting. Whether the challenge is engaging in difficult discussions, growing in self awareness about my biases and world view, or going out of my way to use my gifts to help others, I know these life disrupting activities are important means for spiritual growth and in the end I'm thankful when I bend my will to follow the Spirit.
Source: https://cor.org/gps-guide/new-life-born-of-water-and-the-spirit
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