Earthly things – Heavenly things. John 3:10-14. “How can a man be born when he is old?” We all have a frame of reference in which we live. It is usually within this sphere that our minds can perceive things. We rarely know how to process information when something completely new enters our path. The teaching of the new birth was something that could and should have been understood by a religious leader like Nicodemus. He was looking for the rebirth of the nation of Israel. It was entirely new to him that an individual must be born again. So, the beginning of this new truth for him was that he was personally in need of something he did not have. To be born of God and not of men is a profound teaching. It means we become members of God’s family. It means we are children of God. It means we participate in a new life.
The Practice of the New Birth [1Jn.2:29] affects our conduct, and we live righteously because God is righteous.
The Principle of the New Birth [1Jn.3:9] states that our character, enriched by new life from God, enables us to live and show evidence of eternal life.
The Power of the New Birth [1Jn.4:7] makes its reality evident because we are concerned for others and love them in the Lord.
The Proof of the New Birth [1Jn.5:1] is a statement of fact that gives confidence to every person who truly believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“How can these things be?” By nature, we don’t usually see things from a spiritual perspective. However, when new life begins, it is a spiritual life given by the Holy Spirit; then, change occurs. It is real, powerful, and life-changing. It’s not wishful thinking, but a divine person moves within this body of mine and empowers believers to do things they normally wouldn’t and also to make pleasing God their true desire. These things happen because a new life principle is at work in me: spiritual life and a new Person use this body and mind to produce holiness.
“How shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?” A new principle is at work when someone accepts God's truth as revealed in the Bible and, because of that divine testimony, believes in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their soul. The result is faith that influences life. “The just shall live by faith.” A new nature is given, and the barriers caused by sin are removed. We are declared justified by God Himself. “The just shall live by faith.” Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ now gives the new Christian a completely new way of living. Life is new. The reality of new life is experienced through joy in and serving the Lord. “The just shall live by faith.”
The practice of faith isn’t about fear of the unknown but about trust in the Person we believe in. Our faith isn’t placed in someone or something unreliable. Instead, it’s in the Absolute One, the Unchangeable One, the Perfect One – our Lord Jesus Christ. We can understand heavenly things because we have experienced the truth of the earthly things He taught us. We are confident that what He says is true, and we find rest in Him.