Thursday, June 21, 2012

Old Body, New Life!

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, 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, “Most assuredly, 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 the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:3-8) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)

God made us very complex beings.  We have a "flesh" body which will return to the dust, and a "soul" which is our spiritual body.  He has also put in all living things a "spirit" which is the breath of life - which brings our physical bodies to life: And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground [flesh], and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [spirit]; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7) The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (Job 33:4) Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

One day these physical bodies will die and and the spirit will return to God, but where will our souls spend eternity?  That choice is up to us.  John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. ... And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:4-8We must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, so that we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and be sealed until the day our soul goes to heaven. (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14)

God's Holy Spirit not only keeps us while we're here, but He also empowers us to do God's will.  It's not easy to overcome the desires and temptations of the flesh.  God knows that (Hebrews 4:15), and because of His love towards us, He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us. (John 16:5-15) Let's ask God, in the name of Jesus Christ to allow His Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, that we may not only be born again, but lead others to this new life also, of peace and contentment, even through trials and temptations. (Romans 8) Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’!

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