Monday, July 20, 2020

What do you mean... 'Born Again'?



‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit’

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ In the Book of John, the 3rd chapter here we read the response that Jesus gave to a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus who was curious in regards as to whether Jesus was really who He said He was. So, here was, in all accounts, an upstanding man in his society who came to Jesus at night – because he didn’t want his neighbors or religious associates to discover that he is conversing with Jesus Christ. Indeed it says in verse 2 – “This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs [these miracles] that You do unless God is with him.’” It’s amazing – here it was that he understood that Jesus was someone of extreme importance and that His ability to perform these miracles – he knew that the Man came from God, yet here he is out at night – incognito – so that no one sees him. It reminds us of religious people today. They claim to be Christian but are very afraid to truly keep the commandments of God and have and defend the testimony of Jesus Christ. They are afraid to speak out against such issues as homosexuality, marriage, bi-sexuality, or even what they are now calling pansexuality. They are afraid to speak out against such terrorist organizations as Black Lives Matter, Antifa, or even radical Islam.

Verse 3 – “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

And Nicodemus said in bewilderment – verse 4 – “ …’ How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’”

Now, did Nicodemus here understand Jesus to be saying that this was some sort of a religious experience!? Because from Nicodemus’ answer it’s obvious that he understood Jesus to be saying that it had to do with someone being born – you’re birthed – just like any human being. I recall being in the room when my daughter was born, and the nursing staff placing a little bracelet around her wrist after she was born at North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey, Fl. in 1990. It’s hard for us to use that term ‘born again’ in today’s society because we’ve gone through the 1900s and now into the 2020s – and in reiteration - did Nicodemus here understand Jesus to be saying that this was some sort of a religious experience when He used the term ‘born again’? You need to exclude and go back beyond the Azusa Street Revival which took place in Los Angeles in 1906. Where this Pentecostal movement came about in which they were speaking in tongues – and this idea of ‘born again Christians’ came about through the preachers of the early 20th century, which has propagated into the 21st-century.

There is a vast number of people today who believe that they are saved.

Let us look at Jesus’ response here – He says, verse 5 – “ …’ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’

There is a vast number of people today who believe that they have eternal life as a result of some sort of religious experience. I recall once while my wife and I were driving around one Sunday looking for garage sales, we pulled into a place called the Holy Ground in Hudson, Fl. – a homeless shelter for men only. They were having a rather large garage sale. And as we pulled up, off to our right a man was flopping around on the ground like a fish out of water. We must have had shock written on our faces, because suddenly another man comes running over to the car and shouts, “It’s alright! He’s got the Holy Ghost in him! He’s just been born again” We quickly pulled back out of the driveway and left. Also – a dear friend of mine, who we lost to cancer April 19th, 2020, swore up and down that Asa A. Allen, the 1950s tent revivalist, literally cast the devil out of a man possessed. “I gave my heart to the Lord,” they claim.

What they actually mean is they had a moving experience. It was brought about by the excitement of the occasion – perhaps the music which lifted their spirit. Whether it was the religious fervor of being in a crowd at the time, or the preacher having an ‘altar call’ perhaps while the choir was singing – Just As I Am, Lord! Or an emotional stir by a charismatic preacher – as you can see erupting out of those Allen revival meetings. They say that after Asa A. Allen attended a tent revival hosted by Oral Roberts in 1949, he wanted to open his own revival meeting. And, like Simon Magus, he established a large following. In ’55 he purchased a large tent, and soon many people were saying, “this man is the great power of God!” So many of this world’s preachers say – the only way that you have God’s Holy Spirit – or proof of God’s Holy Spirit – is by this idea of speaking in tongues. Now, people are sincere when they have these experiences of being “saved” – of ‘giving their heart to the Lord.’ They believe that they are saved.

Question: Does God accept us just as we are!? Like the gospel song says, ‘come as you are’!? Is all you have to do is ‘give your heart to the Lord’ – as the preachers say!? And is this what Jesus said to Nicodemus, or did He give him some instructions regarding salvation and eternal life!? Must a change take place!? You know, I was reading in Melton’s Encyclopedia of American Religions of a man whom I have known of for some 39-years who was attacked! And the bulk of the criticism against him was his departure from traditional so-called Christian affirmations – such as the Trinity. 1 He, himself, had to change. You know, Jesus Christ wouldn’t fit in with the modern religions of today – would He!? He would seem quite odd if He was to appear and made some of the statements He made back almost two-thousand years ago when He walked the earth.

On one occasion a certain ruler came to Him and asked, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” And Jesus went on to say, ’Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’

Now this doesn’t settle very well in modern Christianity that believes that the commandments are done away – does it!?

On another occasion, Jesus says, ’Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.’ – to actually do them, to set you an example. “’ till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled.’ He said, ’It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom [from] heaven, but to them it has not been given.’ – that’s an odd statement – isn’t it!? For those who believe that it was Jesus’ job to come here and to save the whole world, I ask – Did Jesus save the whole world!?

If He was sent here to save the whole world while He was here – then you have to say, He failed miserably – didn’t He!?

He also taught to ‘love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’ – the very opposite of how most people conduct their life.

And on another occasion, Jesus said, ’If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.’ ’This do,’ He said on that night ‘in remembrance of Me.’ – people absolutely overlook that, they reject it, “Oh, that part of the Bible, we can just run a black marker through! We don’t need that! We don’t need to do what Jesus said!”

Friends, forgiveness, compassion, caring for the poor, the fatherless, and the widows – all of these were things Jesus taught.

Here He’s telling Nicodemus that he must be ‘born of water and the Spirit,’ in order to enter the kingdom of God. Shouldn’t this be, then, the pivotal question of all professing Christians today!? Jesus is telling us here – this is what it’s going to take to enter the kingdom of God. Shouldn’t Christians be asking that question – ‘Do I need to have these elements in my life.?” And “Are these qualities which I have!?” It seems imperative that we possess them – wouldn’t you say? Or are we to dismiss His words and instructions and just go about worshiping Him as we see fit!?

Most people have their own brand of religion. They want to worship Jesus the way they want to worship Him. They decide how they’re going to worship Him, whether they’re going to use certain gestures – like the mark of the beast – neither should He be worshiped ‘with men’s hands, as though He needed anything,’ as the apostle Paul said – cf. Acts 17:25. Or the way one dresses – and I’m talking about society as a whole. Every single time – no matter what movie it may be – when there is a religious scene it will always be Catholicism - a Catholic priest dressed to the nines in his penguin colored cassock with his backward collar. And you think in your mind – now that’s a religious person there. Think about what they have on. Also on that note – I mean, think about what the singer-songwriter Richie Havens wore to Woodstock in ’69 as an example – the dashiki. Didn’t he look “religious”!?

Actually, the Civil Rights and Black Panther Movements of the ‘60s and early 70s gave the dashiki its political potency. African Americans adopted the article as a means of rejecting Western cultural norms – of black pride. 2 So, the way they dress or repeat certain words or prayers, whether they light candles or sprinkle water, wear large crucifixes from a chain around their neck, or wear a funny-looking hat. Or even get a religious tattoo on into this 21st-century. Large crosses tattooed on someone’s back! Again I believe that these people are sincere in the idea that they are worshiping God, serving God, and that they are saved. But was this what Jesus was implying when He made this statement to Nicodemus?

What is it that drives you!? What motivates you – controls you!? And are you happy and content in your life within this world of absolute competitiveness and the never-ending demand for success and achievement!? The pressure of requiring more possessions. As I’ve said - I remember coming home many times from a job and telling my wife of all the wonderful ‘toys for boys’ that all the guys had – from Hayabusa motorcycles to sports cars, to tricked-out pickups. Things that these people own that means the world to them! And they were so vain and proud in their possessions. Is the natural then the proclivity of men and women directed towards the principles of God? When you look out into the world today – is it a natural step for men and women to seek the will of God and of His way!? Is it actually not the way of selfishness and self-centeredness and taking care of oneself!?

Friends, what do you see when your out in the world – the shopping mall or the grocery store where you’re standing in line and someone’s impatient, or cuts in front of you!? It’s amazing what you see when you look around in society. No matter where you look there is no great movement towards the principles of God Almighty and Jesus Christ. Instead, we find only the opposite – we find an all-out full-speed race in the opposite direction – away from God!

Why!?

‘knowing the righteous judgment of God’

In Romans chapter 1, verse 28 – I want to begin here. Now, the apostle Paul gives this whole description of the vileness which is taken place in his own time, and of course, he’s writing to the people in Rome – can you imagine what that church was having to endure around them!?

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a [reprobate] mind, to do those things which are not fitting [not proper]; …” – indeed, we can compare our modern society with ancient Rome! Here Paul was dealing with ancient Rome! Look what he said to these people – verse 29 – “being filled with all unrighteousness, [fornication], wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.” – he’s even talking about children – how they completely disregard what their parents say to them, saying such things as – “Oh, that was back in the day!” Verse 31 – “undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving [without natural affection], unforgiving, unmerciful; …” – and I am witnessing this in my life. My wife’s second-cousin who is only 14-years old has been baker acted, and her own mother has said on Facebook, “I hope she has a miserable life!" Truly, ‘without natural affection’!

And, as Paul writes – under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit – this behavior costs something great! Verse 32 – “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, …” – isn’t this interesting!?

Friends, this is what I would like to talk about today.

People that conduct themselves this way – in the back of their mind somewhere they know that this conduct will not go unpunished. They know about the judgment of Almighty God and Jesus Christ! Now, they may not understand the truth about the judgment of God – but they do know about it.

“ … that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Turn with me to 2nd Timothy chapter 3. He was trying to encourage Timothy and give him some instructions about dealing with some of the problems which were in the Church of God.

Verse 1 –“THIS know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come, 2) For men shall be lovers of themselves, …” – so, Paul begins another list here speaking of – “ … lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3) unloving, …” - Here Paul is dealing with this – talking about these kinds of attitudes that were extant in his day – and they’re still extant in the world today. And I submit to you that these problems – that Paul lists here – are problems which cause blindness to people who are seeking the kingdom of God.

“ … unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good.” – anyone that stands up for the Word of God, the Truth of God and the Plan of God – and wants to keep God’s law and do His will and what is right – they tend to be despised.

Verse 4 – “traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

Is this what you see out in the world today!?

People will spend an exuberant amount of money on a Tesla Model 3 – as an example – upwards of $60 thousand dollars or more! And they will treasure this thing and treat it as if it was a god. And I’m speaking from knowledge of someone with a Tesla.

“Why did you buy a Tesla?”

“Just because I could!”

Will they devote that much time and money when it comes to God!? This is what Paul is saying here.

“Come on!” you might say. Well, this list that the apostle Paul gives – the divorce rate that is a major cause of this type of activity. The yelling and screaming and the rebellious children in the background, poor health, the suffering from diseases or drug addiction issues, mounting debt, stress – especially among the young generation today. Also, the skyrocketing housing market, overpriced automobiles, and groceries – as a result of all of these human characteristics that Paul lists here. Indeed, the uber-wealthy are having their fun, but most of us are trying to survive in a world today with the skyrocketing prices, the high health care costs, the traffic which we have to fight – risking our very lives every time we go through a large city, like Nashville, Dallas, Portland, Tampa, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles – pick one. Isn’t it such fun driving through heavy traffic with a generation of drivers (at least for the most part) who has not been taught respect for others at 70, 80 mph!? - along with the tears, the anxiety, the literal fighting for survival in this dog-eat-dog world!

Jesus came preaching a new way of life. A new government – a kingdom of God – over which He is going to be King.      And it is going to take place right here on the E A R T H!

In Revelation chapter 5, verse 10 it says that His saints will be “’ kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”

So, Jesus Christ is inviting you – and Nicodemus here – to take part in this soon-coming government. But a change must take place.

Jesus used the example of birth. He said “unless one is born of water” – the physical birth after the woman’s water breaks. But He’s speaking of a different birth – a spiritual birth when He says “and the Spirit.”

How then can we be born of the water and of the Spirit!?

It begins not in an outward gesture – as I mentioned earlier – as an emotional reaction to a charismatic preacher. But it begins inside one's own mind and heart.

Let’s turn to Romans, the 12th chapter. The apostle Paul makes it abundantly clear here.

Verse 1 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

This indeed is the greatest difficulty any minister has ever faced – to reach the heart and the minds of a human being. Now, many will read this, many will like it – and there will be some which say, “good job.” But to actually reach a human heart – that is the most difficult of any minister. And I pray daily to Almighty God and Jesus Christ that I have reached to the heart and mind of at least one person within these past nine-years of this God-given commission. To actually break through the façade, the wall, and the stumbling blocks which are out in front of you to try to reach a human mind and heart. It’s very difficult to get through all those layers.

It must begin within the human heart and mind. But you cannot do this on your own. Friends, look at this world around us – mankind alone has failed miserably for nearly 60 centuries to try and govern himself apart from the eternal God! Most people are just simply unaware of their overall condition of the society in which they are living. What is that condition!? They are blinded by ‘human nature.’ Human nature is the practice of selfishness. People do what is in their own self-interest or selfish interest.

Now, God’s living word – the Holy Bible – refers to this as “flesh.”

Galatians chapter 5, verse 19 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident, …” – and here’s a list by Paul a third-time. “ … which are: adultery [including, of course, spiritual adultery – going after false gods], fornication, [the Greek word porneia, meaning sexual immorality, prostitution, a generic term for sexual sin of any kind – Strong’s Concordance #4202] 3 uncleanness, lewdness, 20) idolatry, sorcery [witchcraft], hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath …” – indeed, I would say what is happening in America today with civil unrest, the violent protesting would be considered ‘outbursts of wrath’ – wouldn’t you!? “ … selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

So, through Paul inspired by God’s Spirit – if you do these things you’re not going to inherit the kingdom of God. However, in Nicodemus’ case, He is saying – this is what you must do to inherit the kingdom of God.

Now, in Galatians chapter 5, verse 16 – “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” He makes a distinction between the flesh and the Spirit.

Verse 17 – “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; …” – they’re against one another. They’re adversaries, enemies. “ … and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish.” – the things that are right, are necessary, the things that lead to the kingdom of God. There is a struggle that goes on – and Paul mentions this in Romans, the 7th chapter. And I’ve covered this before – it’s very important Scripture.

Verse 14 – “For we know that the Law is spiritual, …” – isn’t that interesting!? Now, most people feel that the Law is a physical law. Here Paul is saying that the Law [summed up with the Ten Commandments] is spiritual. And when Jesus came and began talking about the Law – as in ‘You shall not murder’ – He said basically, ‘As long as you didn’t physically take a sword and murder, someone, you were alright – you’re not breaking God’s Law against murder.’ But remember Jesus elevated the Law to a spiritual level by saying, ‘But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council.’ Even if you have murderous thoughts in your heart, then you’ve committed this act of murder – even including adultery. If you look upon a woman or a man (which is not your spouse) with lust in your heart, you’ve committed adultery. So Jesus elevated the Law to a spiritual level. And Paul confirms this.

“ … but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15) For what I am doing, I do not understand. …” – ‘I really don’t want to do it, but here I find myself doing.’ “ … For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” – ‘I find myself doing the things which I hate.’

Verse 16 – “If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the Law that it is good. 17) But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19) For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.”

Is Paul just speaking to himself – here!? Does anybody else experience this!? It’s almost as if he looked into my biography here and read my thoughts within my mind!

Verse 20 – “Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21) I find then a law [a principle], that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22) For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man.”

In other words – ‘I think about God’s holy Law – I want to do what is right, to be obedient to God – verse 23 – “But I see another law [a principle] in my members, warring against the Law [the spiritual principle] of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the Law of sin which is in my members.”

So Paul understood, he had this same struggle of – being in a fleshly body and having a spiritual mind – and they were warring against themselves.

Turn over if you would to Galatians chapter 8. Paul certainly understood what Jesus was trying to explain to Nicodemus – that we are to be spiritually minded and must have God’s Holy Spirit within us in order to overcome not only our carnal fleshly minds but also our unspiritual and immoral behaviors. Look what he says –

Verse 4 – “that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, …” – that’s what is happening out in the world. People that are fleshly – are carnal – having no thoughts concerning God, doing the list which Paul mentioned. “ … but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” – those people who are concentrating on spiritual things, they do the spiritual things.

Verse 6 – “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – as Jesus tells Nicodemus – here.

Verse 7 – “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be.”

So, someone who is living a carnal life – they cannot even please God – even if they’ve had a religious experience. And this is the point I wish to make.

Verse 8 – “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

One of the greatest examples is in Philippians, the 2nd chapter.

Verse 2 – “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

So, you begin to look out and care for your neighbors and your fellowman.

Verse 5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” – and what was His mind!? Well, look what Paul continues with –

Verse 6 – “who, being in the form of God, …” – this exactly tells us that Jesus was a member of the divine Elohim – the God family. “ … did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.” – in other words, He was on a level with the God family. He was a divine being that had been there with God. And He did not think that position of authority and power was something to be grasped at – to cling to. He believed that it was more important to risk eternal life – giving it all up.

Verse 7 – “but made Himself of no reputation, …” – and I have written in my margin, “He emptied Himself.” He let go of all of that power, glory, position, the eternal life that He had. “ … taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” – that’s the kind of mind that we are to have! We are to be willing to go all-in when it comes to Almighty God and Jesus Christ!

So, Nicodemus was blinded with carnality. His human nature wouldn’t let him see what was necessary for him to gain eternal life. But, did Nicodemus finally understand!? I believe he did – because there are other mentions of his life in the ‘gospel’ accounts. I think when Jesus told Nicodemus about what he needed to enter the kingdom of God, He opened the door of understanding and allowed him to see and to have spiritual vision and clearness of mind to see just what he needed to be within the kingdom of God.

And on the Day of Pentecost when the people thought that they had done the most religious act of all time by ridding themselves of the rebel called Jesus of Nazareth – the very ones which screamed, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’ –they supposed that they had killed Jesus in the name of God – doing God’s will.

What did the apostle Peter say in that powerful sermon –

“’ Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” – Acts 2:38 NKJV.

So, repentance begins with this inner thought of having repentance. It was an inward change of the heart which Peter was teaching – and it was the same in his own life. Recall He had once fallen at the knees of Jesus and said, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’ He was very repentant to Jesus. And, it was the same in Paul’s life when Ananias of Damascus came and laid hands on him and prayed, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” – Acts 9:17. And immediately, Paul was healed of his blindness and was baptized.

Conclusion

Being ‘born of water’ is to be baptized. And being baptized is an outward symbol of an inward change in the human heart as a result of repentance. Once a person has realized that they’re going to die as a result of sin. And of course, God’s living word says this very thing – “sin is lawlessness” - 1st John 3:4 – and that ‘all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God’ – Romans 3rd chapter. And, that ‘the wages of sin is death’!

Baptism represents one's death – Paul tells us that we’re ‘buried with Jesus Christ.’

Now, “Jesus came and spoke to them [His disciples], saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19) Go therefore and make disciples [to teach] of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, …’ ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved; …’” – Matthew 28:18, 18; Mark 16:16. And we know that Jesus Himself was baptized. God’s Spirit gives us great understanding.

1st Corinthians 2, verse 9 – “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ 10) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.”

So, once a person has been baptized and had hands laid upon them we receive the earnest – the down payment – of God’s Holy Spirit within our very mind and heart bestowing upon us a revelation of understanding – that we could not have on our own.

“ … For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11) For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”

We cannot understand nor please God unless we have His Spirit.

Verse 12 – “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit [which is] from God, that we know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13) These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches …” – you could go to college and receive a Ph.D. degree and you still wouldn’t have this knowledge and understanding. “ … but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; …” – and we certainly see this evident today, when you go out into the world and tell somebody about salvation, and living the Way God wants one to live, you’re considered a ‘bible thumper.’ “ … nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15) But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.”

And Paul asks this question here – verse 16 – “For ‘who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?’ – and my margin says, “We do!” Those that are God’s and have His Spirit understand what God is trying to tell them.

Jesus came to reveal the Father! His whole purpose was to come and give the Message of what God had told Him. And only if you have God’s Spirit can you understand this Message.

“ … But we have the mind of Christ.”

Friends, I don’t know how you were brought up. I don’t know what you were taught as a child in a church or whether you even attended a church – but you may have some distant understanding of what it means to be a true Christian and how to be saved. These Scriptures here which I covered are out of the very living Word of the eternal God – it is our basis for learning and understanding concerning the great call which goes out to all mankind. And because you are reading this – God the Father is calling you. May God’s word reach that place in your heart that erupts into the change from fleshly human desires – and through repentance to one of a spiritual mind that follows Jesus Christ! □

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