4 minute read
“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 NIV)
Spiritual birth leads to eternal life.
In simplest terms, believing in Jesus is spiritual birth. Accepting His presence into your heart is the beginning of life change. Describing the transformation that takes place when you trust Jesus is different for everyone. Some people have drastic life changes immediately; others, it’s a slower process. No matter what your experience is like, one truth remains the same. Believing in Jesus is the starting point, not the endpoint.
My spiritual birth happened when I was 12 years old on my brother’s bunk bed’s top mattress. For the first time, I realized something was missing. After listening to the pastor’s message that day in church, I knew I needed Jesus to fill the empty hole. Even now, 39 years later, I remember the moment I cried out to Jesus and asked Him to live in my heart. Not in church, not surrounded by people, just me and Jesus talking. For me, what I experienced after my heartfelt plea, was peace. I knew I was no longer alone; Jesus was with me.
Believe
Belief is the beginning of your relationship with Jesus. As a child, we believe in many things: Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy. All of these fairy tales exist until we grow old enough to know the truth. Jesus isn’t like these invented characters. Belief in Him never ends. As we grow older following Him, the more His reality becomes apparent in our lives.
Nicodemus, the man Jesus is responding to in today’s verse, had difficulty understanding what Jesus is saying. Perplexed, he asks Jesus: “How can this be?” (3 John 3:9 NIV). Believing what we cannot see is difficult for all of us.
“And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” …“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-25 ESV)
If you’re having trouble believing in Jesus, ask God to help you with your unbelief. We all have areas we struggle to have faith. Even though I’ve followed Jesus my entire life, I still have times I pray this prayer.
I recently asked God to help me believe His promises, even the ones I don’t like. For instance, our days are numbered. I’ve rebelled against this promise of God’s my entire life. My problem is I want to control something I can’t control. I need God to help me with my unbelief, with His help, I believe.
If you’re not sure about Jesus, ask God to help you with your unbelief. Whatever is holding you back from believing, God will help you have faith.
Question of the Day:
What area do you need God’s help believing?
Further Reading: Hosea 6:1-9:17 NIV, 3 John 1:1-15 NIV, Psalm 126 NIV, Proverbs 29:12-14 NIV
