Claiming the Promise of 'Born Again'

Scripture: Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:6-8

Observation: This teaching of Jesus has an important footnote to it, stating that the Greek words for Spirit and Wind are the same. With that context, this verse would seem to be a teaching that aligns "born again" very explicitly to the Holy Spirit. With that understanding, Jesus is teaching that "born again" means that, by faith in Jesus, one receives the Holy Spirit. He is further saying that the Holy Spirit is able to move as it pleases, and while experts may not be able to know for certain where the Holy Spirit will go and upon whom it will land, they will see the outcome in everyone who receives the Spirit.

Likewise, in the next verses, Jesus is critical that Nicodemus does not understand this, but of course his lack of understanding is tied to the fact that the Jews always struggled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was only given to a select few prophets, and perhaps had not been at work at all in Judea for a few centuries at this time. The fact that a high-ranking Pharisee cannot understand the workings of the Holy Spirit - neither the idea that God's Spirit itself rests upon Jesus, nor that it will soon rest on many who are 'born again' through faith - may be disappointing, but it is not all that surprising.

Application: There are times I feel the Holy Spirit within me. These times are far too few and too fleeting. There are other times I know my life is different now than it used to be, which is certainly by the Spirit's influence.

I am born again. There are some "traditional" Christian denominations that may reject that phrase, and my parents took me to church in such a denomination, but I claim the promise of being born again. Lord, I want the Holy Spirit to not just speak and guide, but to direct and control my life. I want the Holy Spirit to alight upon me more and more, and to turn my mind, heart, body, and soul in the directions he would take me. I want to be blown wherever you please.

Prayer: Lord, I say it again, I am born again, and I wish to live by the Holy Spirit. Please have my life and direct me as you wish. I love you with all my mind, heart, body, and soul, and I surrender all these to you. Please, have your way with me. Amen, and amen.