My goal today is to show you, in the scriptures, the truth behind all that. Can my actions really dictate what happens in the kingdom of God? Should I feel guilty if someone I know never seems to accept Christ? Is it my fault? I am not going to go too far into doctrine today because there is not enough time nor is that my main objective here today.
Let’s read today’s text…
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
(Joh 3:1-8)
First of all let’s start with who this Nicodemus is. He is a ruler of the Jews, a part of the Sanhedrin. He was a wise wealthy person, not someone easily converted. He was raised much like Paul would have been and it took a supernatural experience for Paul to be converted. He came by night probably to investigate Jesus not as a ruler or a Pharisee but for a personal interest. He doesn’t see Jesus as Christ at this point, I don’t believe, but he knows that Jesus is from God because of the things that he witnessed Jesus doing. Jesus’ actions caused him to look further. If we put this to application we can see that actions are used by God to draw in believers. If we walk around with peace in the face of turmoil and courage in the face of fear, if we life a life of integrity even when others know that we could have so much more if we would just stretch the truth a little bit, then others will look at us and say you could not be doing this if God was not with you. Notice that Nicodemus did not come to Jesus and say how do I “get saved” or go to heaven. He would have already known what the law says about this. By his belief if he followed the laws and sacrifices, his place in heaven would have already been secured. Jesus knew who He was talking to and got right to the point of correcting Nicodemus that He was the only way to heaven.
My point in going over all that was to point out that even the most difficult, stubborn, intellectual people can be converted to Christ. And it may begin with your obedience in one little thing.
For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
(1Co 1:19-20)
Let’s go to the end of today’s text and read the last part again.
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
It is important for us to witness, to proclaim the glory of God and to show by example God’s love. You wouldn’t hide your light under a bushel would you? 1Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. God does use us for His glory. That, after all, is the purpose of our existence…To glorify God. But, we do not control God or his plans. God will complete His plans in every soul whether you are a part of it or not. He will use others if you are not willing or He can use nobody like He did with Paul and his vision.
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
(Rom 9:15-16)
That does not mean that I should feel guilty the rest of my life for not witnessing to someone in my past. It means that I need to be ready the next time that God wants to use me. I need to study and show myself approved that He would choose me to be His mouthpiece. But God will have His way no matter what. You cannot do anything to stop or change that. But you may have the opportunity to be a part in it!
“The wind blows on those who know they have no breath, and that they must have the breath of God Himself in order to truly live.” JD Hatfield
