John 3:1-21 Spirit gives birth to spirit

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 v5-7 "Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'

v18 "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

We are born of the Spirit. That sounds so powerful. Like a magnificent awakening. Imagine ... being dead, then alive. What a contrast to be born again! I see why its important for a young person, even though they are raised a Christian, to make the decision to follow Jesus. That spiritual birth is a result of choosing to believe. 

A good resource: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/you-must-be-born-again

So if I am a Christian who is born again - of water and Spirit, then it is good to acknowledge the difference between someone like me and a non-believer. A non-believer doesn't have the spirit with them! They don't have the connection to God that a believer would. 

I feel like this gives me permission to be a bit weird. To be alien. To draw my opinions and perspectives from the Spirit, opposed to media and culture. There is a freedom to walk to the beat of a different drum. 

Lord, thank you for this explanation in the bible. Thank you for John Piper's teaching. Thank you for allowing us to share in the power, love and wonder of your Spirit. Help me to remember that I am born of the Spirit and I can live in this freedom to be different. Amen.



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