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Proverbs 11:1-10
1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with
the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But
righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will
direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver
them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the
hope of the unjust perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, And
it comes to the wicked instead.
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the
righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes
well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
Father God, I pray and ask that those
who read your lesson will open their mind and heart to what your Son Jesus
tells us. In Jesus name
we pray, Amen!
Gospel of John 3:4-7 NKJV
With this lesson we continue with Nicodemus coming to
Jesus in the night. Jesus tells Nicodemus about salvation and what he and we
must do to have a Spiritual Birth. It is all about faith in God and has nothing
to do about religion, heritage, customs, rituals, laws, or works.
4 Nicodemus
said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second
time into his mother's womb and be born?"
These
questions Nicodemus asks here tells us he has no clue as to what Jesus is
saying, and is showing his ignorance because he had drifted away from the Word
of God like so many of his brethren. The Jew had a gradual shift toward
Salvation by natural birth as a Jew, good works and religious ritual. This
Spiritual Birth that Jesus is mentioning is about a person being regenerated by
the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is talking spiritual and Nicodemus is
thinking literal. This term “to be born again” was common among the Jews to
denote a change from “Genteelism” to “Judaism” by becoming a proselyte by
baptism. These words meant a change from the state of a pagan to that of a Jew.
But they never used it as applicable to a Jew, because they supposed that by their
birth every Jew was entitled to all the privileges God had to offer because
they were God’s chosen people.
The
Scripture plainly says that Nicodemus was a Pharisee, which meant that he
subscribed to the myriad of man-devised oral religious laws, which had been
added to the Law of Moses. However, when men begin to forsake the Word of God,
thereby adding their own words, as Nicodemus, they cease to understand
spiritual things, even though continuing to be very religious. Nicodemus and
his fellow scholars of scripture should have understood what Jesus was talking
about because regeneration is in the OT scriptures.
Jeremiah
4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the
LORD, And take away the foreskins of your hearts, You men of Judah and
inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury come forth like fire, And burn so that
no one can quench it, Because
of the evil of your doings." Deuteronomy 30:6
And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your
descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your
soul, that you may live. Psalms 51:10 Create in
me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put
a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and
give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to
walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
We
still have this spiritual comprehension with people today. You will have people
say they belong to the true church, their religion is the only true religion,
and probably in most instances their faith for salvation is in the religion,
works, and rituals of the religion and not in Jesus and His death and
resurrection, so what can we learn from this? (1.) That prejudice leads men to
misunderstand the plainest doctrines of religion. (2.) That things which are at
first incomprehensible or apparently absurd, may, when explained, become clear.
The doctrine of regeneration, so difficult to Nicodemus, is plain to a “child”
that is born of the Spirit. (3.) Those in high ranks in life, and who are educated,
can be ignorant about the plainest matters of religion. (4.) A doctrine is not
to be rejected because the rich and the great do not believe or understand it.
Just because the doctrine of regeneration is not understood does not make it
false. (5.) Pride can keep a person chained in false doctrine.
5 Jesus
answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
In
this verse Jesus is explaining the importance of a spiritual birth, saying that
people don't enter the Kingdom by living a better or good life, but by being
spiritually born. This verse has been one of great debate over the years. The phrase,
“Born of water,” speaks of the natural birth, of which Jesus speaks of in the
next verse, and pertains to a baby being born, while being “Born of the Spirit”
speaks of a Spiritual Birth, which is brought about by God Alone.
Many
believe this pertains to Baptism and by pouring water over or by immersing a
person in water that the water cleanses one of sin, therefore born of water. As
stated in the past, baptism is an outward sign of one giving their life to
Jesus to rule and reign over them, and that they belong to God’s Kingdom, just
like a wedding ring is and outward sign to a married couple of their commitment
to each other.
Those
that John the Baptist baptized was not held up as containing any type of Saving
Grace. In other words, the act of Water Baptism did not save anyone and cannot
save anyone. John, by this Baptism, did not give repentance nor remission of
sins to the people. Only when a person fully realizes that they are born with a
sin nature, that was handed down from Adam, and confesses their sinfulness to
Jesus, and that they no longer want to live like they have been, then by the
power of the Holy Spirit they are Born Again (Born of the Spirit). Water
Baptism is the result of a finished work brought about in the hearts and lives
of Believers who have already repented. Water Baptism is the result of a
Spiritual Birth and not the event. Nothing but the Blood and Spirit of Christ can
convey remission or repentance to the souls of men. John preached the Baptism
of Repentance, meaning a launching of a new life.
Nowhere
does John the Baptist claim that with Water Baptism there is regenerating effectiveness
in a person’s life nor is there in today’s Christian Baptisms, even though
Christian Baptism definitely serves a purpose, just as did the Baptism of John.
However, that purpose has nothing to do with one’s Salvation, which comes
exclusively by Faith in Christ.
Christian
Baptism is meant to serve as a symbol of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of
Christ, carried out in the heart and life of the Believer upon conversion. As
well, when the Believer is Baptized, not in order to be saved, but as a result
of having been saved, Water Baptism is a symbol of the death of the old man/lifestyle
of sin, the burial of that old man/lifestyle, and the Resurrection of a new
man/lifestyle. This is symbolized by the person being immersed totally in water
and then brought out. It is to fulfill all Righteousness, and the answer of a
good conscience/commitment toward God (Matthew
3:15;
I Peter 3:21).
There
is no proof at all that the Apostles of Christ were ever baptized with water
unless it was at the hands of John, or during the early Ministry of Jesus. We
know Paul was baptized but that was after he repented of his lifestyle and
accepted Jesus. We also know that the one thief on the cross was not baptized,
but feared God and repented of his life and Jesus told him he would be with him
in Paradise that day. How do we know the thief wasn’t baptized, because if he
had been baptized he wouldn’t have been leading the life of a thief. So anyone
that believes being baptized they will go to Heaven is clinging to a false hope
based on Scripture. Luke
23:39-43
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly; Meaning this
statement is true, you can be assured that what I say is the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth.
I say to you, unless one is
born of water; Refers to our natural human birth.
And the Spirit; Refers to a
Spiritual Birth through repentance by the power of God’s.
He cannot enter the kingdom
of God; Jesus
tells us here we cannot enter His Fathers Kingdom unless we repent and are Born
of His Spirit.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; Here Jesus is telling us what born of
the flesh, out of flesh is. The word “flesh” here is used as meaning
“corrupt, defiled, sinful.” The “flesh” in Scriptures is often used to denote
the sinful disposition and passions of our human nature. That which is born of flesh from
flesh is corrupt by nature due to the fall of Adam. Jesus is telling Nicodemus
and us, even if we could enter into our mother’s womb, and have another human
birth, it would do no good because birth by man produces corruptness and only
corruptness. We would still have the same desires and passions of the flesh.
Job states this truth; Job
14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one! The Apostle Paul states this truth; Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God. Paul also
tells us that our flesh produces these things; Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which
are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish
ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the
like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. What Paul is actually saying in his
last sentence is this, if you’re not Born Again you will not inherit the
Kingdom of God.
And that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit; Born of the Spirit refers to the power of
God; His Spirit; for this birth to take place within a person’s heart. God and
only God enables this to happen within a person when they confess with a
repentant heart that they are sinful and want to change their lifestyle. We
learn:
1. that all men born of flesh have a
sinful nature that was inherited from Adam.
2. that no one is renewed but by the
Spirit of God. If man did the work himself, he would still be carnal and
impure.
3. that the effect of the Spiritual birth
is to make men holy.
4. That no man can claim to be Born Again
unless the person is regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, meaning a
change in lifestyle, habits, desire to read the Bible, loving others, no
hatred, in other words burying the list of sin that is above in Galatians and
taking up the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians
5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the
Spirit. 26
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
So Jesus makes it clear we need a Spiritual Birth in order to get
passage into heaven. It isn’t through religion, or doing good deeds, or through
Baptism, or being a good person, or going to church every weekend, or showing
kindness to fellow human beings, or doing works of charity, etc. because these
things would be works to a non-believer and they would do them out of
obligation to please God so they can go to Heaven. Now don’t misunderstand me,
a Born Again person will do these things out of love because all of a sudden
they will want to do them out of love and not out of necessity. They will do
them out of love because they have been regenerated into the likeness of Jesus
by the Holy Spirit living within the heart of the New Born person and the love
of Jesus will shine forth from the New Believer. It is through faith in the
acts of the Cross that saves a person, not by works.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Do
you think Jesus made this statement because of the expression on Nicodemus
face? I think so; I think Nicodemus was totally baffled. I think Jesus just
pulled the rug out from under Nicodemus by telling him he had to be Born Again.
Everything Nicodemus believed in and taught was just destroyed by Jesus. In
just a few moments Nicodemus belief of heritage, national privilege,
sacramental purifications, religious rituals, habits of man devised laws meant
nothing at all to our Lord. Jesus just told him he was no better than a Gentile
and what a blow that must have been to Nicodemus, but he was open minded and took
it to heart as we will see later in this Gospel.
These
verses could be a dry run for hundreds of millions of others, when they
stand before God one day, and find out that all their good works, ritualistic
religion, and beautiful ceremonies had absolutely nothing to do with being
right with God? “You must be Born Again” says it all and this alone will be
recognized by our Creator.
Entrance
into the human family is by natural birth, and into the Divine family by
Spiritual Birth. As it is impossible to enter the human family except by
natural birth, so is it impossible to enter the Divine Family except by
Spiritual Birth (Williams).
Are we like Nicodemus? Are we taught ritualistic religion with an
abundance of manmade laws, or bible facts that are twisted to fit some ones
beliefs, and not the true word? Are the minister, pastors, priests, teachers,
etc. that are ministering to us Born Again? If they aren’t Born Again can they
teach Bible scripture and convey what God is saying accurately or are we being
taught about Jesus and his word as a history lesson? Do you truly believe in
Jesus, what he did for you, and willing to put your life in his hands, or just
know who he is like famous people of the past like Abraham Lincoln, George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, etc.? Have we been taught what we need to do to
be Born Again to receive the Grace of God? The Bible, Holy and True Word of
God, teaches how to be Born of the Spirit, so that we will have our name
written in the Book of Life. Don’t let any man or any religion stand between
you and eternal life! Don’t be afraid of
turning your back on a religion or what people will think about you if you
forsake all you know or have been raise in to follow Jesus. All that matters is
what Jesus will think. Ask questions, Seek answers, and Knock on Jesus door! Matthew 7:7 Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened to you:
Colossians
1:16 For
by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible
and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him.
Romans
3:23 for
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans
6:23 For
the wages of sin is death, but
the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say
to you,
unless one
is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
The
Lighthouse Full Gospel Church
Sinners Prayer; Pray this, and if you believe it with
your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord
Jesus I know I am a sinner. I confess my
sins to you; I am sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a
sinful lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness. I believe that only you can forgive sin. I commit my life to you and ask you to come
into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from
my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and
right now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are
the Son of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my
Savior.” I believe this and have faith
you will make a new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my
heart and lead me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”
(John 3:16,17; Romans
3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians
2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-14; 1:6-10)
(Sin: Rom. 1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph.
5:3-7)
