Salvation and the Spirit 1

The Aim of this devotional study is to consider the relationship between salvation and the Holy Spirit.

Scripture

John 3:1-8

3  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4  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?”

5  Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’   8  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.”

Observation

1. According to this teaching of Jesus, how does one get “born again” / “saved”?
2. According to this teaching of Jesus, what is the key characteristic of those who have been “born again”?

Note: It is important to emphasize here that “God’s salvation’ is synonymous with being “born again”, is synonymous with “entering into the Kingdom of God”.  The way which God accomplishes this work of salvation in us is through regeneration by his Holy Spirit. You cannot be born again without the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in your life.  This truth is a key focus in both John and Paul’s writings, which we will look at in the next five posts.

Application

1. John 3:8 states that the key distinctive of someone being born again is a life moved and/ or transformed through the Holy Spirit – that people can witness even though they do not see or know the Holy Spirit. What evidence of the moving and transforming work of the Spirit is visible in your life?
2. This verse also suggest that Christianity is not primarily an intellectual and philosophical religion, but a Spirit-empowered life. Reflect on how much of your relationship with God is focused on Biblical theory and how much is visible in power to become godly (2 Timothy 3:1,5) and power to minister with evidence (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)?

2Timothy 3:1 ,5 “…in the last days there will be… [people] having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”

1 Corinthians 2:4-5  “and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Prayer

Thank God for the work of regeneration through his Holy Spirit, and talk to God about a life driven by His Spirit.