Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, 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?" (John 3:3-4 NKJV)
"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:29-30 NKJV)
Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10-11 NKJV)
A marriage custom in Jesus’ time was for the friend of the bridegroom to stand outside the bridal chamber and wait for the bridegroom to announce the marriage had been consummated—and the guests did not begin the wedding feast before that announcement.
As the bridegroom’s voice confirmed consummation of a marriage begun at betrothal, and as birth confirms the new life conceived months earlier, entrance to the kingdom is confirmed by more than the verbal assent to Jesus which even demons give. Making our call and election sure by faith will trust Him enough to give ourselves to Him as fully as a bride to her bridegroom—to be born again as a new person—and enter a new relationship from which there is no going back to the life before.
Lord Jesus, thank You for new life and a fresh start. Thank You for every day of eternity with You which begins when we are born again. Please use us to bring others to fully surrender to You.
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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Anne,
ReplyDeleteYou are so clearly gifted to encourage, inspire and teach. Your blog will now be a regular stop for me as part of my devotional time. I am linking this blog on mine; I hope that's okay.
You are building His Body, and your Spirit-breathed devotion to Jesus and God's Word shines. Thank you for sharing your gifts with me.
Gwen, your kind and encouraging words are appreciated. Your blog truly blesses me as well, and I see your heart for the Lord. I'm delighted and honored to be linked on Singer-Scribe. Thank you.
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