The application of your new identity
EXHORTATION through the Book of Life
Scripture to ponder on:
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 ASV
THE APPLICATION
OF THE NEW BIRTH
Being born again. Do you know what Jesus was referring to when He used this phrase? He was using the language of the covenant and explaining to Nicodemus what it means to have a covenant with God. Imagine a baby, a tiny child, born to a single mother. No one knows who its father is, and it belongs to no one. Now, think of the best family you can imagine: a family that loves God and whose husband has a good job; people who are financially blessed, generous, and unable to have children. And so they fell in love with this abandoned baby. Soon after, they adopted him.
This child was born again. He has a new parent. Through adoption, he became their heir. Not through any of his own merits. These parents didn't say, "Look at this child. We are truly impressed by everything he has done for us." He certainly deserved our love and respect. No, he's a baby! He couldn't have done anything to deserve his new life. The love in the hearts of this man and his wife moved them to bestow this grace upon this child.
This is what Jesus was talking about when he said, "You must be born again." I was talking about grace, a new relationship based on God's favor, a new family. In Jesus' time, an adopted child enjoyed the same rights and privileges as a normal son. Beloved, you and I are like this baby. You have nothing to give. Everything is free. But like this baby, you must accept submitting to the family's diet. Of course, you were used to the voice of the one who carried you in her womb, and you certainly heard the harsh words spoken about you.
However, you are a new person, and you must learn day by day to "deprogram" yourself from the past and reprogram yourself to... love and provision for your new family. This process wasn't available to Nicodemus because Jesus hadn't yet died and risen, but you and I have this benefit because we have the Holy Spirit, who enables us to understand our new identity and its blessings through reading and studying the Word for the renewal of our minds. Discover what it means to be a child of Almighty God, redeemed by the blood, with an older brother like Jesus. Discover what it means to be "born again"!
Jesus’ beloved
AMEN & AMEN 🙏🏾🙏🏾!!