That which is born of flesh week 21, 2017

When making clear to Nicodemus the unchanging law of becoming part of God’s kingdom Jesus said “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” Jn 3:6(ESV) . Now whilst it means a person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit Jn 3:6(GNB), there are deeper meanings, and several messages God conveys by that statement. One of them makes me tremble. Each time it comes to me I fear. That which is born of the flesh is flesh: any action, any activity, any service born of the flesh, is flesh. It won’t get into the kingdom of God. Its fate is to be burned by fire. That which is born of the spirit is spirit: all activity and inactivity, all service and worship springing from and motivated by the spirit is spirit. It will get into the kingdom of God and be rewarded. What does born of the flesh signify but born of the sinful nature? Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God Gal 5:19—21(ESV).

Consider such activity as giving to the poor, prayer, and fasting. Jesus clearly indicates they may be born of the flesh or of the spirit. "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” Mt 6:1(ISV). Do you recall when Jesus said not all who call me “Lord, Lord” will enter into the kingdom? They were workers of iniquity. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?'  Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who practice evil!'" Mat 7:22, 23(ISV).  Their works sprang from the flesh. Therefore, stop judging prematurely, before the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts. Then each person will receive his praise from God 1Cor 4:5(ISV).

Even such tasks as preaching are not spared. Listen to this: Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment Phlp 1:15, 17(ESV). Yet we are warned in Phlp 2:3(ESV)  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. Nothing. I would like to ask you beloved, “What prompts your activities”?

Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward1Cor 3:13, 14