John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Let’s notice that Jesus’ words are a reply to Nicodemus’ recognition that Jesus has come from God and that God is with Him. This verse is very popular in evangelism. I want to encourage us today by noting 4 facts.
First, what Jesus said in this statement is true. Jesus confirmed a reality in life. Therefore, Nicodemus and we should pay close attention to the truth of what Jesus said here. By the way, let me remind you that the truth is what God says, sees, and does through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6).
Second. We see the necessity of the new birth. Physical birth into this world is a birth into death. We are born spiritually dead, unable to see the work of God in this world. John echoed this truth in 1 John 3:14: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” Nicodemus was considered by Jesus to be the teacher of Israel. He was, therefore, knowledgeable, dedicated, and a sincere seeker of truth. So, Jesus’ statement that one must be born from above to see the kingdom of God informs us that natural birth, religious zeal, and knowledge aren’t what gives one the ability to see and know God. The Greek word translated again by the NASB is literally from above. So here’s the truth: to have life in the kingdom, that life must be generated by God in heaven. By the way, John had already stated this back in 1:12-13. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Jesus is the life (John 14:6).
Third, the kingdom of God may be right in front of you, but without new birth, you can’t see or recognize it. However, one who is born from above has spiritual insight, the ability to see and understand spiritual things. The writer of Hebrews in 11:1 called this faith: the ability to see the unseen things. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Jesus is the way (John 14:6).
Fourth, the regenerated person can see God working in everything, which is what the kingdom of God means. The kingdom is wherever the will of an eternal, sovereign God rules or reigns—which is over the entire universe. Psalm 103:19 states it plainly. “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” So the person who is born from above can see God at work because the person and the work have the same source of origin—the Spirit of God.
So what was Jesus saying to Nick, and what was John saying to his readers? If you can see God’s hand in everything, then you have the life of Jesus. If you cannot, then your greatest need is for God to instill the life of Jesus in you. There’s no way to live to love for the glory of God without the life of Jesus. You must be born from above to love for the glory of God.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
