“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:22-23
As all of creation suffers and groans under the curse of sin and looks forward to its deliverance on the Last Day, so we who have been brought to faith in Christ by the Holy Spirit and have a new nature of God’s making long for and await that day when our bodies are set free from the curse of sin and enjoy the perfect freedom to serve our God without sin forever.
Come, Lord Jesus, and set us free to serve You without sin forevermore. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.“ John 3:6-7
It is not enough to be born of the flesh — a birth resulting from the union of a man and woman. To be a part of God’s kingdom, one must be born again of God — of the gracious working of God’s Spirit through God’s saving Word and Baptism.
Thank You, O Holy Spirit, for raising me up from spiritual death to spiritual life through “the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26). Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:19-21
All of God’s creation was placed under a curse when mankind fell into sin, and it awaits the day when those who have faith in Christ are raised up and glorified, for then it too will be set free from the curse of sin and partake of the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Keep us in the true faith, O God, that we may be raised up unto life eternal in the new heavens and earth which You will create, where there will be no more sin and no more death. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5
The Pharisees rejected God’s will when they rejected John the Baptist’s call to repent and be baptized in the name of the coming Messiah and Savior (cf. Luke 7:29-30). Jesus told Nicodemus, a Pharisee, that one cannot enter the kingdom of God if he is not born again of water and the gracious working of the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls Baptism a “washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit. 3:5). It is “the washing of water by the word” through which God brings us into the new covenant established through the shedding of Jesus’ holy and precious blood on the cross. When we trust in Christ and are baptized into His name, God cleanses us from our sins and makes us His own dear children and heirs of eternal life (Eph. 5:26; cf. Gal. 3:26ff.).
Grant, O Lord, that I not neglect Your Word but take comfort in the Gospel promises of forgiveness and life, pledged to me by the Spirit through Your Word and the waters of Baptism in Jesus’ name. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
Unless and until one is reborn from above by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word, trusts in Christ Jesus as Redeemer, and is baptized in His name, he cannot see or understand the kingdom of God. Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night, did not know God’s kingdom and was not yet a part of it because he, along with the rest of the Pharisees, had rejected John’s baptism and did not repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their Messiah and Savior.
Dear Lord Jesus, grant me a true knowledge of You and faith in You and Your cross that I might see and be a part of Your eternal kingdom. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
