Rebirth Series

We often stop at John 3:16 but let’s not forget verses 17-18: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

These verses teach two surprising truths.

• If you believe in Christ, you will not be condemned. Jesus was sent on a search and save mission. He didn’t come to condemn but to convert sinners.

• If you don’t believe, you’re condemned already.

In other words, if you choose not be born again, you are condemned right now, and you’ll be condemned in Hell forever. If you choose not to believe, you’re already condemned. Most of us think someone must do really bad things to go to Hell. Here’s the gospel truth: If you do nothing and never believe in Christ, you’ll end up in Hell because that’s where we’re all headed unless we’re born again from above.

God loves and He lavishes. Let’s lean on Him so we can live.

J.C. Ryle once said:

1. Life is short and uncertain.

2. Death is sure.

3. Judgement is inevitable.

4. Sin is exceedingly sinful.

5. Hell is a dreadful reality.

6. Christ alone can save you.

On Wednesday, Taylor Swift received an honorary doctorate from New York University and gave the commencement speech. Here’s part of what she said, “I know it can be really overwhelming figuring out who to be, and when. Who you are now and how to act in order to get where you want to go. I have some good news: it’s totally up to you. I also have some terrifying news: it’s totally up to you.”

I’m certain I’ve never quoted Ray Pritchard and Taylor Swift back to back but listen to Ray’s helpful corrective: “Don’t get confused about your part in salvation. You provide the sin. Jesus provides everything else.”

Let me say it once again just in case you missed it: “You must be born again.” Isaiah 45:22 says: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”

Jump down to the last verse in the chapter and listen to John 3:36: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 20:31: “By believing, you may have life in His name.”

In the margin of the Bible Martin Luther translated into German, he wrote these words, “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.”

I first came across John 3:3 when I was in college and was sitting in a Bible study. I ended up in this gathering because my college roommate had the courage to tell me I wasn’t a Christian. After I blew up at him, I realized he was right. That led me to this group of guys who had open Bibles on their laps. I was using a borrowed Bible and when I saw this verse in red, I knew it must be important: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

I stopped the Bible study and told these guys I didn’t have a clue what this verse meant. They spent the rest of the time walking me through this chapter to help me see that just has I had a physical birth to give me life, I needed a spiritual birth in order to have eternal life. They helped me see I was not in until I was born again.