It Was Christ Who Hath Redeemed Us From the Curse of the Law That We Might Receive The Promise of the Spirit Through Faith - Part 1527

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 is the promised SEED of the Holy Ghost.

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

So, in our case, we were born a blank slate. A white page with absolutely nothing on it  But as we venture through life, we accrue wisdom and knowledge and a taste for the things which are worldly. Yes, as we sojourn in this kernel of flesh -- which flesh is appointed to die, we are given a choice. We can either choose life, or choose death.

 To be clear, the death sentence incurred upon all men came about a consequence of Adam's disobedience to the Lord in the Garden. This is why the scripture hath concluded all under sin -- so that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed ... wherefore, the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster, for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus ... for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Because we are now clothed in His righteousness, having taken on His Name in water baptism -- the precious Name of Jesus -- there is no longer Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, and neither male nor female.

Why? Because if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise -- for when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts.

This was Jesus' message to Nicodemus who was a master in Israel, However, even with all his instruction and knowledge, Jesus had to tell Nicodemus that he had no understanding of the things of God? Can you see the conversation? Jesus saying, "O, Nicodemus, if I talk to you about earthly subjects and you are without understanding, there is little to be accomplished if we begin discussing heavenly things."

When Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born again or he cannot see nor understand these things, what does Nicodemus say? "How can I being old enter a second time into my mother's womb to be born?" JESUS then responds by stating, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."

You see, nothing will be hidden to those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus -- the Light of the world does not want us to be in the dark. He is the Bread of Life. He is the One who willingly laid down His life for us, even though He was without sin.

 And because of His kindness and love, JESUS told Nicodemus (and us) that in order for us to enter into God’s Kingdom, we must be born again.

The difficulty herein is that the growth of one's soul is limited to that which was attained before the fall. We of ourselves are 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.

The perfect sacrifice.

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 (clothed or robed) 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.

To choose life, or choose death.

Further, this is why we 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 My Spirit upon them" and they will become My offspring -- My people -- My nation -- the Israel of God.

If the Lord has touched your heart, then repent, and then arise and be water baptized into JESUS' death, burial and resurrection. Become His redeemed son or daughter.. JESUS on our behalf gave His blood, water and Spirit life as a Son for us and when He did, He bequeathed it all to us! Think about the price that was paid, so that we would know that we are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Stand in the offering plate.