Made Alive By the Spirit
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"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.'" (John 3:5-8 (ESV))
Do you ever feel powerless to change your heart or to truly trust God, no matter how hard you try?
Jesus told Nicodemus that no one can enter God's kingdom unless they are born of water and the Spirit. This new birth is not something we can do for ourselves. Just as we did not choose to be born the first time, we cannot cause ourselves to be born again. The Holy Spirit moves like the wind---free, unseen, and unstoppable. Through regeneration, the Holy Spirit brings dead hearts to spiritual life, making us new from the inside out. Without this work, we stay spiritually dead, unable to respond to God or believe in Christ. This truth is echoed in Ephesians 2:1-5, where Paul writes, "You were dead in the trespasses and sins... but God... made us alive together with Christ." The Holy Spirit is the one who opens blind eyes and unstops deaf ears, creating faith where there was none before through the miracle of regeneration (Titus 3:5).
Maybe you have tried to change yourself. Maybe you have tried to stir up faith or joy, only to end up tired and discouraged. The good news is that the Holy Spirit does what you cannot. He does not wait for you to get your act together. He does not need your help to bring you to spiritual life. Just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, the Holy Spirit calls you out of spiritual death through the new birth. He gives you a new heart that wants God and trusts Jesus. This means you can stop trying to earn God's love or prove yourself. You can rest in the truth that your hope does not depend on your strength, but on God's power and mercy working through regeneration.
Think of the thief on the cross. He had nothing to offer, no time to make up for his sins. Yet, in a moment, the Holy Spirit gave him faith through the new birth to cry out to Jesus, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered, "Today you will be with me in paradise." That is the power of the Holy Spirit's work---bringing spiritual life where there was only death, making one born again in an instant.
Jesus is the one who gives the Holy Spirit. He died and rose again so that you could be made new through regeneration. When you feel weak or unworthy, look to Him. He is worthy for you. He will not turn away anyone the Holy Spirit brings to Him through the new birth. Your spiritual life is secure in His hands.
Remember, you are not left to save yourself or to keep yourself alive. You can rest in Jesus because the Holy Spirit gives new birth and spiritual life to those who are dead and helpless, making them truly born again.
Kind Father, You are the giver of life and mercy. Forgive me for trusting in my own strength or doubting Your power. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to do what we cannot. Please cause me to rest in Your love and trust Your work of new birth in me.
Song: Goodness of God