John 3:3, “Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Man is a spiritual being with a soul that lives in a body.  What makes man so special is that unlike angels he has a body with five senses.  And unlike animals man has a self-conscious soul (mind, will, and emotions) that connects him both to the spiritual and physical world.  Mankind’s unique nature is called the “image of God” or in Latin, the “imago dei.”

Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”  The image of God in man thus is three-fold, (1) Man was created to have dominion over the physical world, like how God has dominion in the spiritual world, Gen. 1:28, (2) Man was created to be fruitful and multiply in procreation like how God multiplies in creation, Gen. 1:28, and lastly; (3) Man was created to have self-awareness and free will as God himself has freedom of choice and self-awareness, Gen. 2:17.

However, when Adam sinned and brought spiritual death to the world Jesus came to be the “second Adam,” born without sin, to die for the sins of mankind, 1 Corinthians 15:45.  As a result, when Jesus said to Nicodemus, “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again,” He was referring to man being restored to the fullness of God’s image.

The Spirit-filled life starts when someone is born again in his or her spirit and then their soul is filled overflowing with God’s power.  Though the body may not be made perfect in this life, the soul (mind, will, and emotions) and spirit can be totally saved and purified in this life.  Peter said in 1 Peter 1:9, “for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

We are spiritual beings that need to be born again in our spirits and renewed in our souls- the Holy Spirit is the only one that can do such a miracle.  Therefore, if you haven’t not been born again do so today and then join with all believers and call out to God to filled with His Spirit in your inner most being!

Reflection

Are you born again?

Action

  1. Place your faith in Jesus to save you and make you new.
  2. If you are born again ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
  3. Get ready to live a Spirit-filled life!