TULIP GEMS

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”  (2 Peter 3:18)

BORN OF THE SPIRIT

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he CANNOT SEE the kingdom of God.”   (John 3:1-3)   (Emphasis mine)

Physical birth is an act of God.  No one was ever asked whether or not they wanted to be born.  God chooses to give birth to whom He will.  The infant is PASSIVE at birth. 

Birth is NOT its own act.  It is born.  It comes from a state of darkness into a state of light.  The infant is NOT born because it sees the light.  Just the opposite.  The newborn child sees the light BECAUSE it has ALREADY BEEN BORN. 

Our Lord Jesus knew this.  He was teaching a spiritual truth using a physical example -- that of birth.  New birth is a miracle. God chooses to give this second birth to whom He will. 

The person being born again is PASSIVE.  He is NOT born again because he sees spiritual light (truth).  Just the opposite. He sees spiritual light (truth) BECAUSE he has ALREADY BEEN BORN of the Spirit. 

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