TO SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Proclamation:

“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ … ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and The Spirit.’”  Romans 3:3-5 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here, John records the conversation between Jesus, The Christ, and a Pharisee and Jewish leader named Nicodemus who asked Jesus, “How can a man be born again when he is old?” (John 3:4)  Jesus answered him by saying that a man must be baptized with water and by The Holy Spirit. (John 3:5)  Nicodemus did not under stand what Jesus said. (John 3:9)  In His explanation Jesus included the most frequently quoted verse in The Bible, John 3:16.

Application:

Being “religious” is not enough to enter the kingdom of God, we must be a born again believer.  Many people practice all kinds of religious rituals which have nothing to do with belief in Jesus, The Christ.  To convert someone from their unbelief, The Word of God, delivered by a man of God, is used by The Holy Spirit of God to change their heart.  Baptism by water is just an outward demonstration of an inner transformation.  Water baptism alone does not save anyone.  One must believe in their heart that Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of God and He was raised from the dead in order to be saved. (Romans 10:9)