THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 423

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. And further, except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God. As the scriptures state, that which is flesh (Adam’s offspring) is flesh and that which is Spirit is Spirit. The offspring of JESUS the Christ the promised SEED of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as the scriptures point out, do not be astonished when I say these things.

For example, people's understanding of these things is likened to a wind which one sometimes hears and feels the breath thereof but cannot tell from where it came from or conversely, where it is going.

A man’s life is likened to a vapour of smoke. It appears for a moment in time and then disappears.

We were born a blank slate and through life we accrue wisdom as we sojourn in this kernel of flesh -- which flesh is appointed to death. The death sentence incurred upon all men is a consequence of Adams disobedience in the Garden.

Nicodemus then, are you a master in Israel but you do not understand these things? Or Nicodemus, if I talk about earthly subjects and you are without understanding, there is little to be accomplished if we discuss heavenly things. What about these scriptures? Nicodemus, a man must be born again or he cannot see nor understand these things.

And Nicodemus says, "How can I being old enter a second time into my mother's womb and be born?" JESUS then responds by stating, "Except a man be born of water and Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."

You see JESUS said that for us to enter God’s Kingdom, we must be born again.

The difficulty is that the growth of one's soul is limited to that which was attained before the fall. Incapable of escaping out of the box of sin. Therefore, in order for man to see the kingdom of God which JESUS spoke of, man first needs to be redeemed from the curse of sin. Inasmuch as all men were under the same curse, redemption necessitated that another who knew no sin should be the means whereby man's redemption could be secured.

This meant that God was the rightful owner of man, for man is the work of God’s hands. God declared man as being created sons of God. As a result of sin, man became fallen sons of God. It is also why God manifested Himself in flesh as a Son securing man's redemption as a gift of love, providing to all men without preferential treatment an equal opportunity to see and enter into the Kingdom.

Further, this is why you must be born again of water and of Spirit. But admittedly, man by himself has no understanding as to how to achieve this new birth. However, after JESUS' death, burial and resurrection, JESUS opened the understanding of His disciples saying that the redemption of mankind had been purchased by the shedding of His Holy Spirit blood availing to man the Kingdom of God.

This is why we are instructed to go and preach among all nations repentance and remission of sin. If men and women repent and are baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection, then as the scriptures state, "I will pour out of my Spirit upon them and they will become My offspring -- My people -- My nation -- the Israel of God.

If God has touched you, then arise and be baptized into JESUS' death, burial and resurrection and become His redeemed son or daughter being born again. JESUS on our behalf gave His blood, water and Spirit Life as a Son, bequeathing all to us! Stand in the offering plate.