SPIRITUAL and NATURAL TRUTH

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”The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” – Mark 1:15

Jesus began His ministry declaring the kingdom of God is at hand. He later declared it is the Father’s good pleasure to give His kingdom to His sons. This kingdom and all of its principles are founded upon new life in Christ and is now resident in the spirit of all who have been born again by the incorruptible seed which is the word of God.

John Chapter 3 gives an interesting perspective to these facts in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. (John 3:1-12) Nicodemus declares that Jesus is recognized as a teacher who has come from God because what Jesus is doing and teaching could happen only because God is with Him. Jesus replies to him that UNLESS one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Is this a change of subject or a revealing of new truth? I believe Jesus is making clear that what He is doing is not about works at all but a kingdom that produces these works.

Nicodemus was a ruler of Israel and belonged to the religious sect called Pharisees who had to have memorized by heart the first five books of the Bible or Torah Law. Nicodemus is no spiritual slouch as to the old wine skins of Old Covenant truth. However, Jesus is speaking to him now of the New Covenant in new wine skins. This conversation concerns spiritual revelation versus natural information. As a teacher of the Law, Nicodemus was sincere, he loved God and taught others about Him yet misunderstood Jesus is teaching him “the old things are passed away for all things have become new and now are of God.” The time of the tutor (Law) is over and sons of God are being born. Nicodemus could not perceive this new truth because he reasons with the only mind he has. The mind he needed, the mind of Christ, only comes from being born again. Therefore his question, “Can a man enter into his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” is valid. Now, my wife and I have six children and I was present for the birth of all but one. I saw and heard the pain of birthing a 6 pound 20 inch child. I can tell you NO MAMA is going to do it again for a 6 foot, 200 pound one.

“How can this be?” He reasons that what Jesus is saying cannot happen because it is impossible. (see also Luke 1:34-37) Jesus taught “spiritual” truth by teaching natural truth (parables). His teaching always pointed to spiritual life principles of the spiritual kingdom of God. “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard nor has entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those that love Him. But He HAS REVEALED them by His Spirit.” Natural minded men cannot grasp spiritual truth for it is foolishness to them because they are born with the wrong spirit. Therefore, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”