Series on "The Message of the Cross" – (26)
|
|
|
 12489 |
 |
July 23, 2007 |
|
|
|
 Salvation Given Only to Those Born of Water and the Spirit
"...Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God...'" (John 3:1-8)
God has sent into this world His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ and opened the path to salvation and eternal blessings and joy to any one who accepts His Son by giving them the authority as God's children.
However, although many people profess to have accepted Jesus Christ and their faith in God, they do not necessarily all have the conviction of salvation.
With the spiritual dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus as our guide, this issue of Manmin News will delve into the significance of "being born of water and the Holy Spirit" and the road to perfect salvation.
1.Spiritual Dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus
Nicodemus was a Jewish official, a teacher, and one of the Pharisees very well versed in the Law. During Jesus' time, the Pharisees were "holy" on the outside, without keeping the Law from the heart; they not only doubted Jesus' teachings but also spearheaded the movement to have Him killed.
Unlike other Pharisees, however, Nicodemus was thirsty for the truth and as he possessed true faith, he paid Jesus a visit one evening. Following this meeting with Jesus, we see Nicodemus coming to Jesus' defense when the Pharisees criticized Him (John 7:50-51), and after Jesus had died on the cross, he came forward with "a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight" (John 19:39). From such deeds we know Nicodemus received salvation.
Nicodemus blatantly confesses to Jesus, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Sensing Nicodemus' thirst in the heart, Jesus replies, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God," and provides him with spiritual teaching. Upon hearing it, however, Nicodemus simply could not understand how a grown man, long after he had been born, could be born again.
Even if one is a servant of God, without understanding of His Word he will be unable to experience the works of the living God, which will lead to the stagnation of his flock's faith and the lack of revival. As 1 Corinthians 4:20 reminds us, "For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power," only when an individual receives God's power in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit will he be able to fathom the spiritual secrets and greatly accomplish God's will.
Without understanding Jesus' spiritual teaching, Nicodemus asks, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"
In response, Jesus tells him, "[U]nless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
In order for an individual to enter heaven, says Jesus, the invisible spirit must be born again. Adam, the forefather of mankind, had been created as a living being but on account of his sins, his spirit died. Thenceforth, all of Adam's descendants were with their spirits dead and as they became fleshly, they were unable to enter heaven. The only way to rectify and avert this – to prevent one from going to hell – is to be born of water and the Holy Spirit.
For that reason Jesus tells Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Just as wind is invisible and its direction cannot be predicted, we can fathom and experience the affairs of the spiritual world only by God's works and the power of the Holy Spirit.
2.Spiritual Significance of "Being Born of Water"
What does Jesus mean when He says, "[U]nless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God"?
First, as we are reminded in John 4:14, "water" here is the same as "a well of water springing up to eternal life" Jesus is to give us.
What, then, is "a well of water springing up to eternal life," the eternal water that Jesus gives us? We know that without eating of the flesh and drinking of the blood of Jesus the Son of Man, there is no life in us (John 6:53). Eating of the flesh of the Son of Man is to make bread of God's Word and drinking of the blood of the Son of Man is to put God's Word into practice. Eating of the flesh and drinking of the blood of the Son of Man – God's Word itself – are the water that provides man with eternal life.
Just as water cleanses the uncleanness and gives life to all living things, in spiritual terms "water" – God's Word – cleanses away sin and evil from our hearts and helps us possess eternal life. When God's Word settles in our hearts and cleanses them, we will be rid of such sinful and evil elements as envy, jealousy, hate, and temper, be born again, and arrive at salvation. For that reason 1 Peter 3:21 tells us, "Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Therefore, when we make bread of and live by God's Word, which serves to cleanse away our sins, we will gradually become sanctified and righteous, and this will in turn serve as the proof of our salvation.
3.Spiritual Significance of "Being Born again of the Holy Spirit"
As the sacred spirit of God Himself, the Holy Spirit helps God's saved children receive perfect salvation. As Jesus has told us in John 15:26, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me," after Our Lord's resurrection and ascension, God has given His saved children the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) and the Holy Spirit helps them possess faith by which they can believe and through the faith the life is restored to their spirits that had been dead.
1 John 5:5-8 remind us, "Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."
The expression "the One who came by water and blood" signifies the shedding of blood and the death of Jesus, the Word that became flesh. As Jesus died on the cross, by His blood we receive salvation. Therefore, "the One who came by water and blood" is Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit sent to us after His ascension helps us believe in that fact.
The Scripture also tells us that he who believes Jesus to be the Son of God "overcomes the world" and this refers to how we do not become smeared with untruth by fighting and overcoming the lusts of this world. The Holy Spirit not only helps us believe with all certainty in the Lord but by convicting the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment, He will also give us the strength to overcome the world and its ways. Once we realize the nature of sin, understand the importance of accomplishing righteousness, and believe in the Judgment that is to come to pass, we will be compelled to live according to the desires of the Holy Spirit. By casting away the sins and elements of evil from our hearts every day, we will transform our hearts and fill them with the truth.
This is the process of giving birth to spirit by the Holy Spirit, and only those who give birth to spirit by being born again by water and the Holy Spirit will enter heaven.
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Ephesians 2:8 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." The fact that man can be born again of water and the Holy Spirit itself is on account of God's love and the gift He gives us without asking us for anything in return.
Therefore, we must give thanks to God for placing us on the path to salvation and must bring countless souls to back to His arms. May each of you enter New Jerusalem, the most beautiful of all heavenly dwelling places, in the name of Our Lord I bless!
|
|
Manmin News 
