Today’s Reading:
John 3:1-13
Nicodemus came to Jesus personally, because he needed to know more about the kingdom of God. As a Pharisee, he already knew that the kingdom would be ruled by God. Jesus revealed to him the kingdom of God would come to the world (John 3:16), not only to the Jews, but to the Gentiles and that Nicodemus would not be part of it unless he was personally born again (v.5). This was a revolutionary concept, the kingdom is personal, not national nor ethnic and its entrance requirement are repentance and spiritual rebirth.
“Of water and of the Spirit” V5 could refer to (1) the contrast between physical birth (water) and Spiritual birth (Spirit), or (2) being regenerated by the spirit and Signifying that rebirth by baptism. The water also represents the cleaning action of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus was explaining the importance of Spiritual rebirth, saying that people don’t enter the kingdom by living a better life, but by being Spiritually born. New birth is essential for us because it is the entrance requirement to God’s Kingdom. It gives us eternal life, makes us to become new creatures, and it helps us to displease flesh and please God. New birth activities the works of the Holy Spirit in us. New birth is a gift of God through the Holy Spirit.
There are other “excepts” that must be attained before one enters God’s kingdom. In Luke 13:1-15, Jesus also said “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. In Matthew 18:3; Jesus said, “Except ye become converted ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven’. In John 6:53, Jesus also said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, ye have no life in you”. In Matthew 5:20, He says, “Except your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven”.
NATHANIEL OGUNDAYO
Prayer:
Father, thank you for Your power to deliver to the utmost, in Jesus name.
Father, let your fire of revival fall upon me, my family and all in my environment, in Jesus name.
Father, create in me a pure hear, and renew a right spirit within me in Jesus name.
Father, uproot anything you have not planted in Your church and revive your Pentecostal fire and power, in Jesus name.
Father, let the desires, plans, devices and expectation of the enemy of our nation be completely frustrated and fail, in Jesus name.
Comments