Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Thursday, May 11, 2017
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 05.11.2017” on Spreaker.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Reborn
“Did you get that? You can’t make this stuff up. He said I have to be born all over again. How does He expect me to do that?”
Can you imagine Nicodemus’ dismay at the apparent incredulity of Jesus’ statement? The problem Nicodemus had, and those of us who are on the fence about yielding to God’s way of life is hidden in plain sight in Jesus’ statement. Let me rephrase His statement with a bit of emphasis. Don’t miss it: The only way you will see the kingdom is with newborn eyesight.
We have discussed the kingdom of heaven several times over the years. God makes it available for those who surrender their wills to Him, recognizing their best acts do not make them worthy of His honor. The kingdom of God is for the poor in spirit. It’s for those who become as little children who place all their trust in their earthly parents. It is made ready for all overcomers. The King of Kings said: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Revelation 3:21). Do you get the picture? If not, you need newborn eyesight.
So Much to See
You see, we are living in ominous times. Our knowledge has increased in arresting ways in just the last 25 years. I mean, think about it: Generation X-ers like me had no Internet when we were in University! No social media. No YouTube. No smartphones. No Facebook Live, Wowza, Periscope, Livestream, Twitch, Zixi, or Ustream. No Twitter. No cars with rear view cameras, automatic parking capabilities. No personal drones. It is of the times of all these inventions and more that Jesus said God’s people need supernatural eyesalve so we can see (clearly and spiritually). In order to see the kingdom of God, we need to be born of the King’s seed.
Looking and Living Forward
Here it is plainly: if you love sin more than you love God, He is extending His arms of mercy to reboot your mindset, and fashion it after Christ’s. He is extending His love to empower you to put worldly conformity in your rearview and drive forward in holy transformation. In order to see the kingdom, you will need to die to your human paradigm, and be recreated after the Lord’s paradigm.
Don’t worry, though. You cannot do this on your own. Jesus has promised to give the power of the Comforter, His blessed Holy Spirit, to work in you, His will and good pleasure. He will instruct you through His Word, answers to prayer, and a Spirit guided conscience. He will give you the company of bright angels, to keep you in the ways of God as long as you are willing to cooperate. He will give you kingdom eyesight if you place all your trust in Him.
