“On Being Born Again!”

“On Being Born Again!”
It doesn’t look like the nocturnal visit which Nicodemus paid to Jesus was to find out how one should be born again. When he came to Jesus he said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
We are not told any further what other thing Nicodemus had in mind. In response to his compliment Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Nicodemus wondered how an adult person could be born again. Jesus explained that if one is not born of water and the Spirit, the one cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Members of his council were constantly challenging Jesus. If he came by night to compliment Jesus, it means he saw Jesus differently from the way his fellow members saw Jesus. In other words he was born of the Spirit because only “the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
Water baptism is not enough. Whoever is baptized of the Holy Spirit has an air of freedom. A born again child of God is like the wind. We hear its sound, but “cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit”(Jn.3:1-8).
When we are born of the Spirit we are led by the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit are obvious: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”(Gal.5:22-23). My friend, the question to ask yourself: “Can anyone harvest any or all of these fruits from my tree?” If any of the fruits are lacking, then your tree needs some pruning and manuring. Again, only the Holy Spirit can do the pruning and manuring for you! Ask him to piur on you afresh!
Prayer: Spirit of God pour on me afresh and make me bear your fruits. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!