John 3:1-5
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 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 that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
The occasion of our births are not simply haphazard, capricious or coincidental. Your journey on this plane called earth has been well thought out. Jeremiah testifies in a discussion with the Lord he was informed, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. And the same is true of each and everyone of us. God has a plan for our lives. Our steps, placement in life, experiences, ups and downs, ins and outs, are all known and orchestrated for our benefit by the Lord God.
I can certainly testify of that in my life. I am the eldest of five children, born to an African American family in Newark New Jersey during January. Why is that significant? Studies have shown being the oldest student within a group has strong short-term effects on outcomes, such as test scores, special-needs diagnosis, and leadership. I was the eldest at home and also at school. I lived in Jersey during the Newark riots, Dr. ML King, the Black Panthers and James Brown, “say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud”. All these things helped forge my personality, resolve, character, determination and development. But at the end of the day, it positioned me to the place where I had to confront Jesus. And that’s where the Spirit decreed to me, “You must be born again”.
We read that Nicodemus was totally thrown off by that statement, which is quite understandable. It’s beyond human comprehension. How can anyone be born again? What exactly does that mean? Well, I have a theory. Want to hear it? Here it goes.
GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH US YET! I know, it’s not that impressive, but allow me to explain.
While we gauge our age by the date we were birthed by our mothers, God had us in mind before the foundation of the earth. Ephesians 1:3-4 reveals this truth. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Did you get that? You and I were chosen before the foundation of the world. So, the person we were when we got here isn’t necessarily the person we are now. We’ve been molded and manipulated by the hand of God. We’ve been transformed by the renewing of our minds. And transitioned by the conformity to the Word of the Lord. In other words, we are being remade in the image and likeness of Jesus, even though our external image may still resemble our earthly family.
If I may quote one additional scripture in support of my theory it would be 1 John 3:2-3, Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Children of the Most High, isn’t it terrific to know that the you you’ve been in the past is not the you you have to be today? You no longer have to be a prisoner of your flesh. Your inclination to be evil, or proclivities to do wrong don’t have to have any control over you today. Surrender to the will of the Lord. Adorn yourself in his grace and love. Dress yourself in holiness. The new you is waiting. You were born for this.
God Bless
