A Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, had come by night to Jesus and acknowledged that He was from God, so Jesus gave him information on what is required of all who hope that this world is not all there is, that they might go to heaven and live forever. He spoke specifically about the difference between worldly life and everlasting life, saying "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Was that just "crazy" talk?
What follows is the explanation of what we all face in life, if we want to be saved from the bonds, limitations, and evils of this world. And yet it is rarely stated clearly, underlined, or fully understood--even within the Church.
Jesus continued:
What is required for salvation--to be saved from this evil world--is very simple, we need only believe. There won't be a quiz. But it does need to align, even in a child-like way, with God's greater plan to save the world. What is required however, for understanding the finer points--is "the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2) from thinking "earthly", to thinking "heavenly."
But even within the Church (including right here on Christianity Board), many faced with "heavenly" information or thinking--go all "worldly" (not nearly as nice as Nicodemus) and insist upon things being defined and explained in "worldly" terms, if not strictly in "worldly" events--as if there is no "heavenly" fulfillment of what is written. From which has come many false doctrines now believed and taught.
Where does that place YOU? Are you bucking against the "heavenly"--seemingly crazy explanations--or are you at least like Nicodemus...and willing?
Was that just "crazy" talk?
"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?”
What follows is the explanation of what we all face in life, if we want to be saved from the bonds, limitations, and evils of this world. And yet it is rarely stated clearly, underlined, or fully understood--even within the Church.
Jesus continued:
"Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3).
What is required for salvation--to be saved from this evil world--is very simple, we need only believe. There won't be a quiz. But it does need to align, even in a child-like way, with God's greater plan to save the world. What is required however, for understanding the finer points--is "the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2) from thinking "earthly", to thinking "heavenly."
But even within the Church (including right here on Christianity Board), many faced with "heavenly" information or thinking--go all "worldly" (not nearly as nice as Nicodemus) and insist upon things being defined and explained in "worldly" terms, if not strictly in "worldly" events--as if there is no "heavenly" fulfillment of what is written. From which has come many false doctrines now believed and taught.
Where does that place YOU? Are you bucking against the "heavenly"--seemingly crazy explanations--or are you at least like Nicodemus...and willing?
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