Born of the Spirit

Scripture: Jesus answered Nicodemus, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again,* he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8
* Or 'born from above'.

Observation: The term "born again" can be confusing. It was even confusing to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and future believer in Jesus, however it may be confusing for different reasons. In a simple reading, Nicodemus took it literally wondering how an old man could be born again. However, if it is understood that the term "born again" means to be born of the spirit - as the rest of the text and the footnote allude to - then the rest of the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus examines the method of receiving the Holy Spirit.

In that context, Nicodemus is legitimately curious. He wonders about how to receive the spirit when one is "old", and even jumps onto Jesus' metaphor and uses it to ask whether an old man can actually get a second change ... if he wasn't touched by the Spirit by God's will when he was young, can he really try to receive the Spirit when he is grown. Jesus responds directly:

-- The way into the kingdom of God is by receiving the Spirit.
-- You receive the Spirit by being "born" of the Spirit.
-- Since you do not understand the origin and work of the Spirit, do not doubt that this is possible.

And this is the context of how to receive the Spirit ... "whoever believes in me will not perish but have eternal life."

Application: I wish to connect better with the Holy Spirit in my daily walk. Of course the way to do this is through continual prayer, and keeping a better reign on my anger, impatience, and attitude, so as not to give the Spirit cause to turn away.

Nicodemus is one of my favorite people in the bible. He is the first Pharisee to constructively come to Jesus for conversation. He is the one seen most often as becoming a believer. He was legitimately curious and sought faith through an intellectual understanding of Jesus and God. At least twice he publicly acted on his faith even though both times were risky to his career and reputation.

He received the Spirit through faith in Jesus. He exercised that Spirit-filled faith at work and publicly. And he always compared his faith to facts. He was a thinker who was strong in faith. That is a combination I would like to imitate.

Prayer: Lord, my I be strong with the Spirit daily, even as I seek clarification, guidance, assistance. I ask for direction. That is not out of a lack of belief, but from a strength in belief in your love. May I align my thoughts and actions to your will, guided by your Spirit within me, a Spirit that has come to me as a grown man. I am born again. May I publicly act like it daily. Amen.