September 24 - Water and Spirit; Flesh and Spirit - Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John Macarthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:5–7).

Jesus answered Nicodemus’s objection by elaborating on the truth He introduced in verse 3: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” “Water” and “Spirit” often refer symbolically in the Old Testament to spiritual renewal and cleansing.

It was surely Ezekiel 36:24–27 that Jesus had in mind, which shows regeneration to be an Old Testament truth with which Nicodemus should have been acquainted. Christ’s point was unmistakable: Without the spiritual washing of the soul, a cleansing accomplished only by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) through the Word of God (Eph. 5:26), no one can enter God’s kingdom.

Jesus continued by further emphasizing that this spiritual cleansing is wholly a work of God and not the result of human effort: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Just as only human nature can beget human nature, so also only the Holy Spirit can effect spiritual transformation.

Even if a physical rebirth were possible, it would produce only flesh. Thus only the Spirit can produce the spiritual birth required for entrance into God’s kingdom. Regeneration is entirely His work, unaided by any human effort (cf. Rom. 3:25).

Ask Yourself

What have you needed washing from your heart in the last several days or weeks? How have you gone about seeking the Lord’s cleansing and renewal? How have you experienced the reality of His refreshment?

From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

[metmom]

Religion Forum threads labeled “Devotional:”Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.

https://freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word Ping

[MHGinTN]

Thanx for the ping.

[Scrambler Bob]

Did anyone ever read “The Spiritual Man” by Watchman Nee?

He seems to put Spirit, Soul, and Body in proper perspective.

Comments?

[imardmd1]

An illustration of what you and I communicated not long ago, that one is born in the Spirit by the cleansing of bathing by the "water" of the preached Word and regeneration of the inrush of the Holy Spirit to reside with the newborn soul forever.

This is an important matter to go over with other professed "believers" to assure that they understand how those two aspects a[[ly to them, as John MacArthur discussed in this little meditation. The water that Jesus indicated to Nicodemus was not: (1) the water symbolically used in the Jewish "mikvah" ritual cleansing as a precursor to temple worship; nor (2) the water employed in John's baptism concurrent with a commitment to repent from sinful behavior; nor (3) Jesus' baptism that marks the rite of induction into Jesus' Company of Committed Servants who profess allegiance to Christ and enter a life of discipleship.

Now, Nicodemus was quite aware and knowledgeable anout these occasions and what they were for, thus they were not under consideration when he came to Jesus to ask Him about His relationship to God. But Jesus faced him with the constraint that even to sense the Kingship of God, one must be reborn. Ant that, to Nicodemus, meant a new quantity; again, one involving some kind of water.

It was not about any of the first three events mentioned here, which are performed within the temporal dimension. Rather, it was a process occurring in the spiritual dimension, and involved the "water" being the Spoken Word (hrema, not logos) of God, figuratively speaking, which brings a hearer--through confidence in the reliability of God's Word--into a saving relationship with The Father.

(Sufficient scriptural references are supplied by MacArthur in the article.)

[MHGinTN]

Hebrews 4:12

[imardmd1]

Yep!

John 4:6-26

"Living" water = spoken words of/by God.

[MHGinTN]

Have you considered that Jesus may have addressed the water world of birth, THEN step over to the water world of birth being analogous to the cleansing power of the Word of God (4:12) birthing one again, birthing in the spirit by the Water of The Word?

[metmom]

*sigh*

Religion Forum threads labeled “Devotional:”Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.

https://freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/

These devotional threads are posted for teaching and edification purposes for those with an Evangelical theology. They are not posted to provoke a response from others who disagree with that theology, nor are they posted as an attack on other church’s theology.

Devotional threads are not posted so Catholics can present Catholic theological points of view in opposition to the one expressed in the devotional. It has actually become fairly easy to predict which threads will result in that happening. It’s simply a matter of posting a devotional that does not agree with Catholic theology. Likewise for Mainline Protestant, Mormon’s, JWs, SDA, etc.

These are Evangelical leaning devotionals and should be expected to present the Biblical point of view. If you take exception to the topic and think it’s interpretation is in error, then please, by all means post an open thread on the topic for debate.

But otherwise, please respect the Religion Forum guidelines for devotionals as established by the Religion Moderator. I have no desire to file abuse reports for violations but will if Catholics, or any others, continue to ignore the RF guidelines.

And/or I will also make them Evangelical Caucus threads again.

Thank you.

[imardmd1]

Reading your post, my reply to it is thus:

I was writing in a devotional sense. What I wrote is well-known to those who hold the Bible as the only infallible source of the doctrine of the Apostles, and respected by the audience to whom the articles are posted. What I wrote is within the rules for its title and is not debatable. Other than posting this reply, I have no inclination to engage in further communication with you on this matter

[imardmd1]

Again, your second debative opinion on this was not invited, nay your mode rejected for your unwanted negative interjection, yet you continue to offer it and as a condemning criticism, despite what you were told by the person who posted this article upthread.

Please cease your disruptive activity in the midst of a defined devotional posting.

[metmom]

Though I must say, I did not pick up on a devotional sense in what you wrote. perhaps we differ on what the meaning of "devotional" is.

These are labeled as devotionals because that’s what they are labeled by Grace to You.

Your opinion of their classification is therefore irrelevant.

I asked you once, and will again. Please respect the RF guidelines in posting.