born

again.

"I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - Jesus

Every religion has laws, rules and guidelines for righteous behavior. Every religion speaks of the afterlife in one form or another. Jesus introduced the idea that the afterlife could be a part of our everyday life today. But a transformation has to happen, a second time.

The first transformation is flesh. From conception to birth raw materials are converted into baby. Somehow a breath of life enters that organized material and the baby is a person. A person with Adam and Eve's flesh, fallen. Rules may temper the flesh as the Old Testament shows. But rules do not temper the soul.

The interaction with Nicodemus in John 3 is remarkable for many reasons.

• Nicodemus was among the most knowledgeable teachers in Judaism.
• Nicodemus was a political powerhouse on the Jewish ruling council.
• Nicodemus was seeking wisdom.
• Nicodemus arrived at night.
• Nicodemus listened.

Jesus was blunt with Nicodemus, brushing aside the conventional chit chat with this man who wanted answers and insight. "Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". There you go, Nicodemus, there is the answer to your unspoken question. Now lets manage the fallout from that answer. 

No one, ever, has directly addressed the issue of the spirit. Indirectly, the Old Testament reveals God's love for the person who's heart is turned towards Him. The spirit of man is little more than a left over wisp of a man's life. Jesus instead illuminates that the focus of God is not so much the fleshly redemption in resurrection but the spirit's redemption of being born again. God has "given up" on the flesh, it is cursed until death, but not on the spirit of a person.

The Holy Spirit was a concept in the Old Testament and it is unclear if the references refer to the person of the Trinity or some godlike power working in the person. There are many hints about the Spirit, but not a definitive examination. Jesus is opening the window to the heavenlies here with a broadside truth. The Holy Spirit must do a work to transform the person's spirit: "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."

Lets not rush too quickly to the crucifixion of Jesus which is professed next in the narrative. Instead take a moment to dwell on the incredible gift of the Spirit to all who confess Jesus as Savior! The comparison to being born of flesh is enlightening:

• from confinement to physical freedom - we are set free in our spirit to enjoy God's life
• from dependence on another to independence - we are given the opportunity to grow, change, think, pray, communicate, and create
• from weakness and disorganization to singularity - we experience the world in the new order
• from isolation to exposure - we identify with all the pains and joys of the world around us

If you have the time, add to the list. 

Born again. If you have confessed Christ the Holy Spirit has changed your spirit and taken up dwelling with you. What are you going to do now?