Born of the Spirit

Born of the Spirit.

1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.[b] 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born[c] from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind[d] blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”-John3:1-8

To be born of the Spirit, one must be incorruptible. But our nature is corruptible. How then can we be born of the Spirit. It is by believing in Jesus and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. But it doesn't end there. I have known some people who believes in Jesus, accepts Him as Lord and Savior but actually lives a dissipated life. Jesus is constantly inviting us to live out the promises of our baptism as God's children. These promises do not make us slaves of Do's and Don'ts, rather, it is the only way to live a beautiful and fulfilling life.

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Fullness of Life

Believe the works of Jesus.

31 The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” 34 [a]Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? 35 If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and scripture cannot be set aside, 36 can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated[b] and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; 38 but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 [Then] they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.40 He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. 41 Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign,[c] but everything John said about this man was true.” 42 And many there began to believe in him.-John10:31-42

As I shared in my previous reflection, the people cannot easily accept Jesus because they are not open to Him and their hearts are hardened all along. Today, Jesus is encouraging these people to believe His works. If Jesus' words are difficult to accept, at least believe in His works.

Truly it is difficult to accept some people easily especially if they do not conform to our expectations and standards. Sometimes, both good words and works are dumped simply because it came from an unlikely person. Or, are dumped and trashed simply because it is not in accordance to what we really want all along. Good Reasoning slowly fades as people prefer Practical Reasoning that easily bends according a person's preference. "Why suffer if you can have an easier way out," some people say. Jesus is inviting us to listen to His truth. The truth and the fullness of life can only be found in Him and through Him.

Image courtesy: God's Not Dead