Speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who was a ruler of the Jews,
Jesus said "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he
[or she] cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3 ~ New American
Standard Bible)
Being “born again” takes commitment and produces positive change. It
requires a decision to rise to a new level by examining ones life and
abandoning those things that are not of God. In this spiritual journey,
the Holy Spirit is there to inform a believer through his or her spirit
and conscience. There is no excuse for complacency, pride, stagnation,
tradition, culture, et cetera – anything that holds one back. As Paul
says in his letter to the Romans:
Romans 1:20 –
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes,
His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being
understood through what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
~ New American Standard Bible
Paul is saying that there are no excuses; that God makes it plain to
everyone, if they choose to look and observe. Even before Jesus was
born, there were a few who sought the truth. Socrates, the Greek
philosopher (469 BC - 399 BC), who said that “The unexamined life is not
worth living,” was one of those few searchers.
Unfortunately, positive change that makes this world a kinder,
gentler place for all of creation is still rarely found in or promoted
by the very ones who should be at the forefront of such activity –
churches and those who claim to be born again. As I’ve said before,
Christianity has been hijacked and, in most instances, asking a pastor
about kindness to other animals is, in most cases, like asking for
verbal abuse and ridicule.
