In John 3, we have an interesting interplay of words here. The term “born again” is introduced, and as the chapter continues, it is expanded on with new words, such as Spirit (as opposed to flesh), everlasting life (as opposed to perishing), saved (as opposed to condemned), and light (as opposed to darkness). In my understanding, all these words and concepts help us appreciate how the Lord intends the born-again life to be understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus puts born again against the backdrop of flesh and Spirit in vv. 5-8. So being born again is emerging out from the flesh-dominated life to being born into a Spirit-dominated life. The senses and abilities of our bodies are disregarded in favor of the leading of the Spirit. He doesn’t guide us according to normal ways and means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Jesus links born again to the kingdom of God: without being born again, we can’t see the kingdom (3:3) or enter it (3:5). The Old Testament kingdom of God implies a dominion where a king rules. We may assume this king is the Lord Jesus, and He rules His willing subjects through the indwelling Spirit of Christ as Lord (1 Cor. 3:18). This is implied in vv. 6-8. Born again happens through the agency of the Spirit of God and is sustained by the Spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One cannot “see” the kingdom because of the willful darkness of sin in those who do not believe (3:20-32). Nor can they “enter” who are under condemnation through unbelief (3:18). Through faith in the word of God one participates in kingdom life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since those in the kingdom of God are following the Spirit in love and humility, it makes sense that those whose deeds are evil, those who hate the light (3:19-20), are excluded from the kingdom and strangers to life in it. Light does not have fellowship with darkness. God is light without any darkness at all. If we walk in darkness, we live a lie (1 John 1:5-6) and are further from God than we thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In John 3:14, the serpent lifted up, Jesus mentions the account of the Jews being led out of Egypt to the promised land, then rebelling against God (Numbers 21). God inflicted lethally poisonous snakes upon them. When they sought mercy, Moses erected a bronze snake upon a pole and told the people to look on it for healing. Jesus ties this story to Himself in 3:14-15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The parallels are striking. Looking to the serpent in faith, they repented of their rebellion and they were saved from death. Looking to Jesus in repentance forgives sin. Before they looked to the snake, they were perishing, and they knew it. So they looked\/prayed. Even so, knowing we are perishing without Christ’s deliverance, we who turn to Him in faith are found with new life. Through faith in Him, we beat death and our lives are extended to beyond this present life to experience a new quality life where one knows God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus adds an eye-opening commentary to this parallel account in John 3:16. God in mercy spared the Jews’ lives in the desert. But in Jesus’ case, we see the love of God prompting a greater deliverance than seen with the bronze serpent–Jesus delivers. God so loved that He gave us His Son. This priceless, all-sufficient Son is the means to redeem the whole world to Himself, not just the Jews in the desert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the serpent was literally lifted up on the pole so anyone could believe and see, so Jesus was lifted up on a wooden cross so all could see the love of God and believe. The OT has stories that foreshadow the death of Christ. This is one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus on the cross was judged for our sins. In Numbers 21, the serpent and its power was being judged. Its power to inflict death was taken away and the Jews lived. The cross glorified Jesus and destroyed the power of Satan, the old serpent from the garden. And believers are born again into new life. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life (3:16, 36).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John adds more flavoring to this new life. Those who believe in the Son are not under condemnation, 3:18-19. The born-again life is following the will of the Spirit of God. (How can we know condemnation when we are following the Lord’s will?) If we are following the Spirit, we are not following the flesh, as Romans 8:1-14 teaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God came to save, not condemn, 3:17. So the word “saved” is added to the mix. Saved in John 3 means:
. Led by the Spirit, not living by the flesh
. Not condemned
. Not perishing, but granted a life extension in the kingdom of God
. Walking in the light instead of hating the light
. Doing the truth instead of shrinking back into the darkness
. Believing in the Son
. Saved from perishing and death
. Entering and seeing the kingdom in one’s own life<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saved is not just about being good and going to church, is it? Nor is it about going to heaven when we die. Jesus’ concept of the born-again experience extends throughout life, accompanied by steps of faith. Jesus is not satisfied with a believer’s experience that exists apart from flourishing in the kingdom of God. Too many have settled for too little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like the Jews in the wilderness, we can look and believe, look and be gloriously saved. When this life hinges on walking by faith moment by moment, truly letting the Spirit teach and lead, we leave the wilderness and our feet walk through the promised land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are you saved?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In John 3, we have an interesting interplay of words here. The term “born again” is introduced, and as the chapter continues, it is expanded on with new words, such as Spirit (as opposed to flesh), everlasting life (as opposed … Continue reading