Born again ... we must be born again. I remember when this terminology became popular; many people didn't like it. If memory serves me right my dad thought this was the work of contemporary worshippers. I grew up Missouri synod Lutheran with the red hymnals (traditional, conservatives).
Most people would consider the topic of rebirth Jesus and Nicodemus discuss the most important aspect of this section of scripture. I'm not a theologian to argue but these aren't the verses that jumped out to me today. From The Message:
19-21 “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”
Did you know (of course you did), church membership in America is declining. There are numerous articles with theories why the decline is happening. Could this be the reason? Men and women everywhere ran for the darkness? I like how The Message words it ... they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. I wanted you to read it again, that's why I repeated it. How often do we find people lying, pretending to be something they aren't because they fear exposure?
Jesus' words ring true today " This is the crisis we're in," I suggest the reason is still true today. I know there are plenty of times I'm more interested in pleasing Cynthia than God. Do we become numb to God because we are so consumed with ourselves, our plans, our problems, our friends, our families, our flesh?
Lent - a time to examine the area's of our lives where we fall short, feel defeated, or have grown cold. And we do so not to beat ourselves up but prepare for God's gifts. (Max Lucado, He Chose the Nails pg 16). Not in our own strength can we accomplish this - it takes surrender, repentance, seeking the God-light. Id much rather be in the second part of this scripture - working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.
A spot on view on the world's view today. Truth is, not much has really changed except the human mind set.
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