It is Necessary to be Born Again

A Word of Truth #070  

How can this be? Can a man who is old be born another time? These were the questions of Nicodemus when Jesus told him, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Jesus did speak of a rebirth, but not a physical rebirth. Jesus also told Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (John 3:6). We have all inherited sinful flesh from our parents. This leaves us as enemies of God UNLESS we are born again—given new spiritual life through faith in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit uses the Gospel in the Word of God and in the Sacrament of Baptism to create saving faith. This rebirth does not need to come dramatically on a given day, at a given time. Rather, it is the ongoing effective working of the Spirit that convicts a heart of its sin and convinces it of its Savior.

When we are given faith by the Holy Spirit, it is as if we are starting over – not a new life from our mother’s womb, but a new life in Christ Jesus as God’s beloved child.

God so Loved the World!

A Word of Truth #071  

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This verse summarizes in beautiful fashion how we can be saved. All human beings are by nature sinful and fall under God’s just judgment. Yet, God loved the whole world so much, that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to save all people from sin. Jesus took our place by living a perfect life for us, so that we might be given a righteousness that will stand before God. He suffered and died on the cross as our substitute bearing the penalty our sins deserve. All who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior will not perish in hell, but rather will enjoy everlasting life in heaven! That is God’s promise to everyone, including you!