Lots of people get very excited when a new baby is announced. Why do we love those cuddly babies so much? I know for me getting pregnant always brought such a feeling of wonder and excitement and possibility. Who will this new little person be? What characteristics will they have? What will they look like?
Well, John in the Bible talks about a different kind of new birth. He says in John 3:3, 15-16:
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom
of God ... so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so
loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in
Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
of God ... so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so
loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in
Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Later John the Baptizer says of Christ in John 3:29-30, 36a:
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom
who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's
voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase,
but I must decrease. He who believes in the Son has
who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's
voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase,
but I must decrease. He who believes in the Son has
eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life ...
When we give birth to our babies we know that they will live and eventually die. There will come a time in each of our lives when we cease to exist on this earth. Just as there is much excitement when a new little one is born, there is much sadness when we hear of the death of a friend or loved one.
But when that friend or loved one has put their faith and trust in Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, then there is a peace in the passing, sadness yes, but peace that there will be new and eternal life, for that person.
Do you know your bridegroom? Have you believed in Him? The word believe in this text is from the Greek word pisteuō meaning 1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. It is a conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul and often referred to as "saving faith". It is a joyful trust that Jesus, Yeshua, is the Messiah - the divinely appointed author of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God and to give oneself over or up to Him completely; devoted completely to Him from its first beginnings and stirrings within the soul up to the fullest assurance with a faith that is preserved, strengthened, increased and raised to the highest level from conception to the highest maturity.
Just as a baby is conceived and born and grows to full maturity so must our faith be conceived and born and grown to full maturity so that just as John said, our joy may be full.
I long for the eternal life with my LORD, to live in God's Kingdom forever. I want the things inside, the things people can't see, to be more alive and living than the things you can see and touch on the outside.
If you are reading this today and are like Nicodemus in John chapter 3 I say to you as Jesus said to him, "don't procrastinate with questions, face the evidence and accept it!" Everyone who looks up to Him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life. He loves us so much and wants everyone of us to have whole and lasting life. He will not turn anyone away, ever. He came to help us and to put the world right again. Anyone who examines the evidence will stake his life on this: God Himself is the Truth and the One God sent speaks God's truth, life complete and forever!
Blessings Abundant,
p.s. Just for the record ... I'm still typing for two girls and a boy (no more on the horizon ;)
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