Yesterday we learned success in our spiritual life begins here: Believing in Jesus.
Today we examine why we must be born again and the power-filled life we receive in Jesus as we continue to follow Him.
Returning to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in the Gospel of John chapter 3, we discover a spiritual truth about human beings. Jesus said to Nicodemus:
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
John 3:16-19 CSB
Most of us know the first part of that passage. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world he gave…” We’ve seen it posted everywhere from signs at a sporting event to graffiti in an underpass. But do we understand Jesus’ statement beyond verse 16? Jesus goes on to explain what he means. He explains “why” we must be born again.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
John 3:17-18 CSB
Look carefully at verse 17. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world. We love that verse! We are not condemned by Jesus. At this point, Jesus doesn’t judge us. Instead he offers us a new life in Him when we believe. “Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned…” That’s awesome!
While it’s true that Jesus doesn’t condemn us, He points out a serious problem. Look closely: “But anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.” Jesus makes clear he doesn’t condemn us. We condemn ourselves because of our unbelief caused by something called sin.
Sin a BIG PROBLEM for us.
Sin separates us from God.
Here’s the issue: We’re born sinful people.
Let me ask you: Did someone have to teach you to lie? To steal? To be jealous? To be prideful and selfish? To want your friend’s car or wife/husband?
No. No one had to teach you or me any of that because sin is alive in us from birth.
The Apostle Paul wrote in His letter to the Roman church around AD 57: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12 CSB)
We all have a sin problem. And there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves from it. That’s why Jesus had to die.
The Apostle Paul continued…
If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:17-19 CSB
Paul makes clear, Jesus death on the cross once and for all covered the cost of sin affording us the opportunity to put our faith in Jesus and receive a new life in relationship with God—the way we were designed. “For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.“
When we put our faith in Jesus, God births life inside us. Our Spirit, dead by sin, is now made alive by Jesus. How that happens is a mystery—but it happens.
When we’re made alive in Jesus the Apostle Paul said we become new creatures… We become spiritually alive. We’re different than before. Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB)
We need Jesus as our Savior because He alone saves us from sin which causes both physical and spiritual death.
We need Jesus as our Lord who directs us into the life He’s designed us to live from the beginning of time.
Believing, trusting, and following Jesus isn’t a “get out of jail free card.” It’s an invitation into the life we were created to live. It’s a life of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. It’s a life of purpose moving toward a future eternity spent with a Heavenly Father who, unlike our imperfect earthly fathers, loves us perfectly and unconditionally.
Are you tired of trying to find fulfillment in everything else? Do you want the life you were designed to live? Do you want peace, joy, and fulfillment in life?
The life you were created for is found only in Jesus.
He gave it all so you and I could have it all.
What’s holding you back?
-PB