THE LORD’S BRANCH CHRISTIAN CENTRE

THE BRANCH’S WAY-Isaiah 4:2 (A WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE)

Topic: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN 

Text: John 3:1-8 

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: [2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. [3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

In our text today we read of an important man, a well educated and very influential man in the society called Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night. This man has been intrigued by the teachings and miracles of Jesus that he came to see Him. There were many like him in his days and even now who just walked away from Jesus despite all they have heard of Him rather than going to Him. The question is would you also walk away from the Lord today or be like Nicodemus and walk to Him?

Nicodemus was taken aback and flabbergasted by the response he got from Jesus despite all the accolades given to Him. Jesus said unto him 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (verse 3).

But the truth is what Jesus said to Nicodemus over 2000 years ago is very relevant to us today. To be a member of God's Kingdom you must be born again. To be able to do miraculous works you need to be born again. For our lives to fulfill the purposes of God for us we must be born again. The beauty of this phrase 'born again' is that it was coined by Jesus Christ Himself, even though it has now been trivialized, as everyone who has a Christian name is authomatically 'born again' not minding his or her lifestyle. The question you need to answer is 'are you born again'?. Know that “Everything that is hidden will become clear. Every secret thing will be made known, and everyone will see it.”(‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:17‬ ‭ERV‬‬). God knows all that is in the dark and secret places (Daniel 2: 22). Also for us to know that Satan knows us more than we know ourselves, you remember the experience of the seven sons of Sceva in the book of Acts where the demon descended on them and said to them, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' (Acts 19: 14- 15).

What then does it mean to be born again? Like Jesus explained to Nicodemus in verse six of our text; 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit' this means that to be a candidate of this earth as human we need to be born by a woman (flesh given birth to flesh) and to be a member of God's family one needs to be born by the Spirit of God (this is the spiritual birth). Just like the birth of a child into the world, the child practically played no role in his or her birth, it is usually the mother that would experience the pains, the contraction and the push. All the child would do is to just submit himself or herself to the actions of the mother. In like manner, in the spiritual birth all that is required for us is to submit ourselves to the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. This is simply to put our faith (confidence) in Christ Jesus who alone can save. 'Jesus said plainly, that 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me' (John 14: 6). The words of God are reliable as it also said in Ephesians 2:8-9 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast'. The Scriptures is saying here that no amount of money can earn one a place in the Kingdom of God, neither is our position or fame but our faith in Christ Jesus.

To be born again therefore, implies that one must experience a spiritual renewal, an inward recreation by the Spirit of God. No wonder the Scriptures say 'Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new' (2 Corinthians 5: 17). One must pass from the state of being spiritually dead to being alive spiritually through the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Paul said in Titus 3:5 'Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost'. The Bible says our righteous acts are like filthy rags before God.

Now we would look at the signs of a truly 'born again' child of God:

The person will hate all what God hates.

He will take up the characters of God (2 Corinthians 4:.6, Colosians 3: 10, Ephesians 4: 24).

He will not commit sins, because the seed of Christ is in him (1 John 3: 6- 9).

He will love as God loves (John 3: 16).

He should lives a life of true holiness in and out ( Ephesians 4: 24).

Such a person should have a deep and personal relationship with God (2 Peter 1: 4, 1 John 5: 11).

He must truly trust in God (Proverb 3: 5).

He must fellowship with other believers in a Spirit filled Church .

He must be a true praiser and worshipper of God (Acts 16:; 25).

He must be a habitual reader of the Word of God (Joshua 1: 8).

Benefits of being born again are:

They will eat the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Revelation 2: 7).

The second death will not have power over them (Revelation 2: 11).

They will be given a new name (Revelation 2: 17).

They will be allowed to eat of the hidden manna (Revelation 2: 17).

They will have power over the nations (Revelation 2: 26).

Their names will be in the Book of Life (Revelation 3: 5).

They will be recommended by Jesus to God the Father and the Angels (Revelation 3: 5).

They will reign with Jesus forever in His Kingdom (Revelation 3: 21).

The wicked one can not touch them (Revelation 2: 29).

They shall be called children of God (1 Peter 1: 3- 4).

Their spirits would constantly be renewed ( Ephesians 4: 23- 24).

They will be given the power to resist temptation and any form of deception.

There will be a restoration to God's original purpose for which they were created.

The death of Jesus and His resurrection have provided us a place in the Kingdom of God, all we need to do is to appropriate this to ourselves by confessing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, just as stated in Romans 10:9-11 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed'.

Now right there where you are, if you want to be born again, pray this simple prayer with all your heart. Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead, I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. From today I proclaim You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for accepting me for in Your name I prayed.

I say a BIG Congratulation to whoever must have said that prayer. 

Prayers:

Lord Jesus help me in my spiritual journey with You, in Your name I prayed.

Any power that would derail me in this journey of life, be destroyed in Jesus name.

Light of Christ shine on my paths in Jesus name