Water and Spirit; Flesh and Spirit - Evangelical Caucus/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?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[Psalm 73]

"It was surely Ezekiel 36:24–27 that Jesus had in mind..."

Quick story:
About six of us pray at our state capitol in Hartford on the third Friday of every month - we pray over the House and Senate chambers, various offices, and whatever legislators we happen to run into.

I had been immersed in Ezekiel all week, and unbeknownst to me, the others had too, (not close friends, we don't really have regular contact).

Once one of us prayed out of Ezekiel, other verses started to come out of the rest of us - as the Holy Spirit was knitting our hearts and minds together via the Book of Ezekiel.

What a blessed time of prayer!

[metmom]

I LOVE IT! when God does stuff like that.