John 3:12. “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”
QUESTIONS. “How can a man be born when he is old?” We all have a frame of reference we live in. It is generally in that sphere that our minds are able to perceive things. When something entirely new comes into our path, we hardly know how to even process the information. The teaching of the new birth was something that could have, and should have, been understood by a religious leader like Nicodemus. He was looking for the rebirth of the nation of Israel. It was totally new to him that an individual had to be born again. So, the start of this new truth to him, was that He was in need personally 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 are participants 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]is that our character with new life from God, enables us to live and show evidence of eternal life.
The Power of the New Birth [1Jn.4:7] makes evident its reality because we have concern 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 that truly believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.
“How can these things be?” By nature, we do not look at things from a spiritual view. But when new life begins, a spiritual life that the Holy Spirit gives, then there is a change. It is real, it is powerful, it is a life-changing experience. It is not wishful thinking but a Divine Person who moves within this body of mine and empowers the believers to not only do what normally they wouldn’t, but makes this our true desire. We want to please God. These things happen because a new life-principle is at work in me; spiritual life, and a new Person is using 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 one accepts the truth of God as revealed in the Bible, and because of that divine testimony, believes on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of the soul. The result is faith that works in the 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 on the Lord Jesus Christ now gives a whole new way of living to the new Christian. Life is new. The reality of new life is experienced by joy in the Lord and joy in serving the Lord. “The just shall live by faith.” The practice of faith isn’t fear of the unknown but trust in the Person in whom we believe. Our faith is not placed in someone or something that is unreliable. Our faith is in the Absolute One; the Unchangeable One; the Perfect One – our Lord Jesus Christ. So we can know the heavenly things because we have experienced the truth of earthly things He has taught us. We are completely assured that what He says is true and we rest in Him.
“O heavenly Father, I have absolute trust that when questions arise in my heart and mind, the answers will be given if I need them. If some remain unanswered, I will still rest at ease knowing that if I needed the answer, Thou will give it. At the moment, I do not have answers to the future of this work here. But I rest in Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”