What we mean by salvation is this-deliverance from the love of sin, rescue from the habit of sin, setting free from the desire to sin. –Spurgeon
Leading up to one, if not the most, well known verses in all of scripture John 3:16, we have the story of Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. He had an important position within the hierarchy. Nicodemus’ problem was just like so many in the church today, he was unsaved. He didn’t understand what salvation was all about. When Jesus told him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus was perplexed and didn’t understand what He meant. His response was, “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” Nicodemus literally thought Jesus was talking about a rebirth. This is a perfect example of a religious, unsaved man not understanding the things of God.
Throughout the church today we have unsaved men and women in leadership positions. They are spiritually bankrupt, not understanding the simple things in scripture such as, “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN”. But I am thankful on this day, my physical birthday, that God gives even unsaved religious leaders in the church grace. Just as He did not close the coffers of His grace to Nicodemus, neither will He to anyone who repents and turns to Him. Look at the answer Jesus gave to Nicodemus, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7
Have you been born again? Have you trusted Jesus as your Saviour? If not now, when? If not now, why? Here is a little truth, “…now is the day of salvation.” Today, you too can be born again!
