October 15, 2024 -- John 3:1-3 -- As those born again, we are lifted from stumbling

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Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:1-3 ESV

As those who both know the power of sin and the stronghold that life controlling issues have in our lives, we know God alone has the power to change us. His Spirit supplies the day to day (sometimes minute to minute) will and strength we must have so that we can stand firm against former sins and stay on this journey to Jesus. Nicodemus, one of the religious leaders, steeped in the Old Testament, ought to have known the power of God to give new life. But when Jesus spoke to him of it, the man could not understand it. That is because it is spiritually discerned.

To be born again, or born from above, means that the old nature of sin and the patterns of wickedness are defeated. Rather than trying to rule one’s own life, acknowledging our helplessness and past failure, we turn to Jesus. The Father has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus. Now the battle begins. One of my former pastors used to say, “My old, sinful self was drowned in my baptism but he is a strong swimmer and keeps popping up”. How true. Old sins, thoughts, desires will suddenly appear. The Devil is trying to woo you back with old stinking thinking. Those who are “born again” or “born from above” know these facts.

  • We can bring these thoughts and temptations to Jesus, where they will be taken captive and defeated by Jesus Himself (II Corinthians 10:5-6).

  • Those who confess Jesus as Lord are not left defenseless. God supplies them with heavy armour to fight the wiles and schemes of the Devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

  • When we fail in our struggles and fail into sin, God has provided the way forward in this journey. It is confession that brings us back to the cleansing work of Jesus (I John 1:7-10).

Find people in your life with whom you can be honest, open, and raw. The fight against the Devil and his allurements, is not easy. It will require all your focus, deliberate attention and even that is not enough. You must find fellow Christians to confess to when you fall. The Proverbs tell us “for the righteousness falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity” (Proverbs 24:16). Note, it is significant that the disciples asked Jesus, do I forgive my brother seven times (as often as a righteous man stumbles)? Jesus is generous beyond human understanding, He forgives and calls on His people to forgive seventy-times-seven. But this is not mere record keeping, as if there is a limit to the goodness of our God! Remember, as often as you forgive your brother or sister, you are clearing the slate, our God Who is love, is not keeping a record of wrongs!

Turn to brothers and sisters who also know the battle against sin and will help you to stand again. Pray. Trust the promises of God that you are born again, born from above, therefore all you need for this new life in Christ will be supplied.

Father in heaven, Who is like You? You are great in compassion, slow to anger, abounding in mercy! Teach us to trust that You Who cause Your people to be born again through the reconciling work of Jesus will also supply to Your children with everything necessary to live for you and to find victory in this journey. Thank You for the powerful presence of Your Holy Spirit in us and among us--the Spirit, Who steadies stumbling feet and lifts those who thrown down so that they can stand once again in vivifying work of Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/S6Odk49ZvD4?si=y6GYXkbXu3bnOI-4 Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

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