Weekly Bible Study with Dr. Hardiman

COMMAND 1 PART 3

Although Jesus says He marvels that Nicodemus does not and should know about being born again from the scriptures there is reason for him to be baffled. The mystery is revealed in verse 3:8. The new birth accordingly is like the wind. It presents itself under its own power with its effects but you do not see it coming. In essence we do not cause ourselves to be born again. The Spirit does that and the Spirit is free and works in ways we do not understand. The scripture states that it is a gift from God. Read Romans 6:23. It is not a human decision to live a more moral life and it is not something we try because it sounds good or that we are looking for a change. Nor, is it something we have always had. It is not something our parents can give us or that we acquire through a sacrament. Read John 1:13 again, I think it is pretty clear. So even though we do not ask for it or deserve it, we must receive it when it is offered. We receive it as a gift. The new birth is a radical supernatural calling that is out of our control. It is the greatest of miracles, better even than going back into your mother’s womb and being born all over again. It is a calling to follow Jesus. It is a one and only time calling; to be a soldier for Christ and to be a sojourner in a foreign land (here on earth). It makes us citizens of heaven. It places us as adoptive sons into the royal family of God. It writes our names in the book of Life, unable to be removed forever. God promises us that He will bring about a change that will allow us to be like Christ and to finish His good work here on earth. No one can snatch us from the fathers hand JN 10. For some the new birth happens slowly like a long labor or a gentle breeze and for others like me it comes like a hurricane force. For the apostle Paul it was at the time he got knocked off his horse and saw the heavens open and for the woman at the well it happened over a discussion about water and suddenly she got it (JN chapter 4). One thing we do know is that it will only happen if you look away from yourself for answers and look toward God. Jesus states that he who seeks me will find me (the wind will eventually blow their way). Nicodemus asked how can this be and did not ask why it has to be this way. The Roman road explains why? These verses are doctrinal verses to help you understand salvation as God planned it from the beginning. Good to memorize as many as you can so you can share the Good News to those who the Spirit leads you to do it. . Those seeking and searching for a relationship with God, even if they do not quite know what it is they are looking for. Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 8:1, 2, 10:9, 10.