John 3:5

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit ~ John 3:5

 

There are many “cannot enter” signs in the Bible, leading us to the recognition there are right, and, wrong ways to enter the Kingdom of God. I think of the “narrow gate” Jesus talked about, and the story of the sheep and the goats, where the sheep can stay but the goats must leave. Then, of course, there is the story Jesus told about it being easier for the camel to enter the kingdom through the eye of the needle than a proud, rich person. These are some of the verses that directly mention a right way into God’s kingdom. The Bible, though, is filled from beginning to end with stories of how to enter into the presence of God. It is a universal story, a continuing story. Today, on this the 40th day after Easter called Ascension Day, when Jesus rose up into the heavens to be with the Father, we listen in on a conversation He earlier had with Nicodemus. You must be born of water and the Spirit, Nicodemus. You and I replace Nicodemus’ name with our name…you must be born of water and the Spirit, ________. There is no other way to enter into God’s kingdom. In other words, Jesus is saying you must believe in the gospel message of Jesus Christ by believing in Him. You must repent of sin, confess His name as Lord, and thereby be baptized into Him. This does not mean that if I am baptized in water alone, I am saved. No, the same is if I take communion and drink of the cup and taste the bread; these do not save me. The change is not outward, but inward. The transformation is not to our exterior, but to our interior. This is a heart issue! We live in a world which says, “I am spiritual. I believe there are many ways to God, or, for sure, I must seek god within me, for it is there!” Some will even pray to a “god”, but forget about repenting, confessing, and submitting to a Being outside ourselves who makes the awesome claim to be Creator God. There is only one way to enter His kingdom. No other way will lead you there. Only by believing in Jesus Christ can you receive the salvation and the Spirit offered to you.

Pastor Julia


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