Thinking about John Chapter 3...Are you REALLY "born again"?
John, Chapter 3, with good reason, remains one of the most important and preached on chapters of the Bible. In it, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter and boldly declares to Nicodemus that "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (verse 3)
It is very sobering to think that many people who think they are born again will be revealed as not born again on Judgment Day. Jesus said, "Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:22-23) Even those who seemed to be Christians (who prophesized in Jesus' name and drove out demons!) will be revealed as not belonging to Christ.
The Bible shows us just how easy it is to be born again by relating us turning to Christ for salvation to the Israelites looking up at the snake in the desert (3:14) to drive home the point. Nothing is easier than looking up at a pole and believing. So it goes with our faith; looking spiritually upwards to Christ's death on the cross, in faith, for our salvation.
If one MUST be born again (Which Jesus says we must! (verse 3)), it makes sense that one of Satan's greatest deceptions is to make unsaved people feel that they are saved. Equally damaging is the enemy's desire to make saved Christians think they are unsaved. I believe that's why the Bible tells us to "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Easy to be a Christian.
Just as easy to kid yourself into thinking you are a Christian.
This requires deep meditation and self-examination on the part of all who call on the name of Christ.
It is very sobering to think that many people who think they are born again will be revealed as not born again on Judgment Day. Jesus said, "Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:22-23) Even those who seemed to be Christians (who prophesized in Jesus' name and drove out demons!) will be revealed as not belonging to Christ.
The Bible shows us just how easy it is to be born again by relating us turning to Christ for salvation to the Israelites looking up at the snake in the desert (3:14) to drive home the point. Nothing is easier than looking up at a pole and believing. So it goes with our faith; looking spiritually upwards to Christ's death on the cross, in faith, for our salvation.
If one MUST be born again (Which Jesus says we must! (verse 3)), it makes sense that one of Satan's greatest deceptions is to make unsaved people feel that they are saved. Equally damaging is the enemy's desire to make saved Christians think they are unsaved. I believe that's why the Bible tells us to "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Easy to be a Christian.
Just as easy to kid yourself into thinking you are a Christian.
This requires deep meditation and self-examination on the part of all who call on the name of Christ.
posted by Andrew Brown at 2:32 AM
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