New Birth

Responding in Faith to God’s Invitation of Life and Peace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of Passover

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

The Passover feast served to mark the transfer from the bondage of Egypt to freedom found in a life based on faith and trust in God. As the children of Israel prepared to leave Egypt, the blood of the sacrificial lamb was washed over the doorposts of the home to spare its inhabitants from the angel of death which would strike the first born of Egypt.

Upon crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel had entered into a new relationship with God. God would begin the process of renewing and proving their heart. Through this process, God would reveal His presence, and demonstrate His awesome power, provision, and divine protection.

Through the 40 year journey, God would demonstrate His love and way to walk with Him in the new life, ”that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”  (Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV)

RELEVANCE

The LORD, likewise, began His ministry by spending 40 days in the wilderness.  At the end of that period, He quoted this very Scripture when tempted. When questioned by the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, the LORD uttered a profound statement:

Yes, indeed, I tell you that unless a person is born from water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 6 What is born from the flesh is flesh, and what is born from the Spirit is spirit. 7 Stop being amazed at my telling you that you must be born again from above! 8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going. That’s how it is with everyone who has been born from the Spirit. (John 3:5-8 JNT)

Being “born again” is a gift of God’s grace. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, changing the disposition of one’s soul, inclining the heart to God. The “new nature” of this renewed heart has a new set of values and motivations; but must be cultivated and nurtured by a deliberate choice to grow in this new life.

Effective spiritual growth is accomplished through Bible study, prayer, meditation on God’s Word, active fellowship, faithfulness, a willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit, and a heart inclined to worshiping God in spirit and truth. 

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

How are you cultivating and nurturing your new nature as a
born again believer?

With whom do you fellowship to build yourself up in faith?

How are you ordering your time to include God in the equation
of your life?

REFERENCES

John 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked JNT taken from the Jewish New Testament. Copyright © 1979 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from New Living Translation Holy Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.