215. Kingdom entry - (Condition 3)

"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit ... You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'" (John 3:5,7) Many have been offended by the term "reborn" or "born again" because they think it a denominational doctrine but they will be surprised to know that it was Jesus who first used the term to describe this spiritual experience. So we better believe the words of Jesus instead of questioning him like Nicodemus who asked, "How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the spirit." ... "How can this be?", Nicodemus asked. ( Vs 4,6,9) In reply, Jesus said that the "water" and the "Spirit", which are the agents of rebirth, will cause it to be ! ( Click on the link below to read about the three agents of rebirth - https://teachingofchrist.in/2021/07/24/three-agents-of-rebirth-part-3-of-the-born-again-series/ ) All that we got to do is believe his Word with a 'child like faith' and he will cause the other two conditions of 'spiritual rebirth' and 'surpassing righteousness' to be mysteriously fulfilled in us who believe. The reason rebirth is called a mystery is because we have no role to play in our rebirth other than believe, just as a new born child had no role to play in its own birth! The 'washing with water through the word' (Ephesians 5:26) and the 'renewal by the Holy Spirit' are the mysterious works in us. 'He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour ...' (Titus 3:5-6) It finally turns out to be that the only requirement on our part is to believe like a child. How simpler can salvation become ? It's so simple that a child can understand it, but many adults haven't ! No wonder Jesus said to the disciples who didn't seem to understand this truth: "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ( Matthew 19:14) Amen.