LETS DO IT GOD’S WAY
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (John 3:3)
The Bible tells us that late one night, one of the Jewish religious leaders by the name of Nicodemus went to visit Jesus and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him”. In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:2-3). Jesus was laying down a principle that is still true today, unless you are born again, you have no possibility of seeing the Kingdom of God.
God has not changed. Since the beginning of time, He has laid down laws. In the Garden of Eden, He told Adam that he could eat of the fruit of any tree but not the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and that if he did, he would surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). In the Old Testament Books of Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God gave laws and commandments to His people which covered every facet of their lives including, how they were to live together as a community and how they were to worship Him. Disobedience of these law/commands resulted in punishment.
There are many instances in the Bible where people acted outside the prescribed laws and commands laid down by God and suffered the consequences. In 2 Samuel 6:6-7, the Bible tells us that the anger of the Lord blazed against Uzziah and he was killed for stretching out his hand to steady the Ark of the Covenant. What Uzziah did was not a bad act in itself but it was against the law of God because only the priests were allowed to touch the Ark. Again, in the Book of Chronicles, King Uzziah was struck with leprosy when he usurped the priests office and attempted to burn incense on the alter of incense. (2 Chronicles 26:16-23).
Even though we are no longer under the law but in the dispensation of grace, obedience is still a requirement. Jesus Himself said He did not come to nullify the law but to fulfill it. (Mathew 5:17). He is still speaking the very same words that He spoke to Nicodemus. “….You must be born again…….” The problem with most folks today is that we think we can get to heaven some other way but God’s way. For example, many people think that simply by doing good works, going to Church and calling themselves Christians they are guaranteed eternal life. While these acts may be good, they are not enough in themselves. The Word of God says it is by His grace that we are saved and not by works so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Friend, there are benefits to doing it God’s way because then we can truly inherit the promises that come from knowing Him and serving Him.
Do it God’s way. Be Born Again!!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, You are a good God and you are worthy of all our praise. Lord, you are a God of laws and principles and you desire that we walk according to those laws that you have laid down for us. I desire to partake of every covenant blessing that you have made available to your people so I will obey you in all things. I thank you and bless you today in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
