Alphabet of Love - B is for Born

Jesus: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus: How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?

Jesus: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into 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 be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

According to this passage in John 3, as well as in many other portions of the Scripture, there is only one entry point into the kingdom of God for each of us – men and women, Republicans and Democrats, gay and straight, Christians and Muslims, Hindus and atheists. We must be born of God’s Spirit.  Without physical birth, none of us would be in this world.  Without spiritual birth, none of us can be in God’s kingdom.  And just like we didn’t do anything to earn or obtain our physical birth, we can’t do anything to earn or obtain spiritual birth. It is God’s doing from start to finish.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  I Peter 1:3

When we are born, we are never born as full grown adults (thank God!), but as tiny babies.  Babies need milk to grow properly.  Mother’s milk is by far the best food for them. 

Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.  I Peter 2:2

There are many ‘formulas’ that are offered in our world as a substitute for the pure milk of the word.  If we want to feed the Spirit-life, the best food on the market is God’s living Word, spoken and interpreted to us by His Spirit.  No devotional, no blog, no book comes anywhere near to the Living God breathing, speaking His own life into us through His Word.  This will remain our primary source of nourishment for the rest of our lives. You never graduate out of it.

It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’ Matthew 4:4

I am not saying that other books and blogs, discussions and devotionals don’t have a place our growth.  In fact, one of the many benefits of being born of God is the godly heritage and the godly community, the ongoing amazing His-story we enter as a result of our birth. As fascinating as this world is, however, it can never be a substitute for knowing and being known, for loving and being loved by our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

For further reflection:

Have you been born of the Spirit of God?

If not, would you like to?

If yes, how have you experienced growth in your spiritual life?  What helps you grow?  What stunts your growth?