Throughout the Israelite era, there was no significant change. While they might have longed for positive developments, having God’s Law was not enough; a shift in their collective perception of humanity was necessary. A prominent Pharisee recognized Jesus’ uniqueness during a nocturnal visit. This encounter highlighted the crucial aspect of the nature of change, illustrating that one must be reborn to achieve true progress.
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?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:3-8 NKJV).
A physical person is only aware of what is tangible and perceivable through their senses. Such an individual cannot interact with what is not within their view. They have a clear perspective of what lies ahead but are blind to what is behind them. For example, facing east, they cannot perceive what exists to the west without turning their body in that direction to witness the western view. Likewise, experiences of negativity differ from those of positivity.
Jesus discussed the distinction between the physical and the spiritual. That which is born of the flesh originates from a physical father, while that which is born of the spirit comes from a Spiritual Father. The relationship between these two opposing dimensions and concepts is intended to promote growth in the preferred dimension for its realization. One must relinquish the other to progress in one aspect, as development is unattainable without such sacrifice.
Like any other person, Nicodemus understood the physical aspects of humanity. Yet, he was entirely unaware of humanity’s spiritual reality. He believed that the sole purpose of existence was to live for a time and then die. In his view, a human being was no different from any animal species, each sustained for a certain lifespan before vanishing. Many of those who die after living to their lives’ potential on Earth struggle to justify the reason for their prolonged toil.
The concept of being ‘born again’ implies a transformative state that paves the way to eternal life. The prospect of death is generally unappealing to any sane individual. Every living being strives for survival, yet humans are unique in their original disassociation from death. Created in the likeness of God, humans must seek to reclaim their true essence. Being born again involves the sacrifice of the present self to embrace a renewed existence. Often, the error lies in yearning for renewal while clinging to the comfort of the present state.
The physical aspect of our nature is often at odds with the spiritual realm. Life is rooted in the spirit, and the offerings of the spiritual world do not appeal to our physical senses. At the heart of our physical existence is pride, which can obstruct the acquisition of knowledge, the very essence of survival. Without knowledge, one is left in ignorance. Pride can prevent the acknowledgement of crucial information. This is especially so, when one’s ego dismisses the need for it, particularly if it comes from those deemed of a lower status.
In the account of Nicodemus visiting Jesus at night, it’s tempting to think he did so to protect his reputation. For a man of his stature, it would seem improper to be seen with someone deemed unacceptable by the Jewish community. However, it was his inner spirituality and quest for truth that drove him to seek Jesus after dark. When one loses spiritual integrity, there is no longer a desire for change, leading to complacency with the current state. Despite his high status, Nicodemus’s spiritual awakening made him realize the trivial nature of earthly life.
Nicodemus merits acknowledgement for his courage in approaching Jesus at night. Many of his contemporaries likely ignored the promptings of their conscience to seek teachings from Jesus. Jesus immediately tackled the most vital aspect of salvation. Nicodemus had identified himself as the offspring of a physical father, but to attain life, he needed to be reborn as the progeny of a Spiritual Father. During this meeting, Jesus imparted to him the most vital knowledge for all humanity on earth, despite its acceptance not being assured.
Understanding redemption is not as challenging as many assume. There’s no necessity to regard those recognized as God’s children as extraordinary. They might not be deemed the intelligent ones of this world but are characterized by humility. The Bible’s teachings emphasize humility as essential for the acceptance of progressive information. As James suggested, a willingness to learn is unattainable for the proud.
“Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:5-10 NKJV).
It’s impossible to fully understand the thoughts of others, especially when it comes to the concept of God as a jealous deity. The enduring truth is that He is a God who demands exclusive devotion, without any competing loyalties. To believe in God means to commit wholly to Him as His follower. Those who think that Christianity offers complete freedom may overlook the fact that God expects purity of faith, without the dilution of His teachings with other ideologies.
The concept of grace should not be interpreted as an acceptance of watering down Jesus’ teachings with different ideologies. True freedom is discovered in the recognition that salvation is attainable through humility and faith in Him for redemption’s certainty. Strict adherence to the law or judging others accomplishes nothing. What is necessary is humility, which involves a transformative perspective shift. It goes beyond merely forgiving sinners; it’s about emulating Jesus by assuming responsibility for others’ wrongdoings.
The liberating truth is that freedom is found in Jesus. Not harbouring resentment towards others brings complete liberation. This certainty stems from embracing Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). While living a life free of sin is unattainable, there is comfort in knowing that Jesus’ suffering on the cross has atoned for all sins. This compels us to extend the same grace to others, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our salvation is basically attained by forgiving our fellow men.
“Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this, we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:13-16 NKJV).
The idea of change extends beyond merely breaking habits; it involves purifying one’s heart of pride. Without pride, one can gain greater insights into the essence of life. This paves the way to walk in God’s light, aiding in the liberation from binding habits. Many people indulge in the pretence of being someone they’re not, reflecting a profound state of pride that hinders God’s work in their lives. The directive is clear: to confess our sins without reservation.
Addressing the challenges posed by provocateurs is crucial, as they test one’s character. Assurance of being on the right path often comes from the ability to forgive one’s adversaries. The behaviour of such individuals is essential for cultivating spiritual character. It is emphasized that salvation does not come from leading a righteous life, but rather from embracing the righteousness of Jesus in our lives. This underpins Jesus’ teaching to His disciples to rejoice when faced with insults from others, instead of taking offence.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV).
The Christian journey is not merely about hard work; it’s about finding joy and fulfilment in doing God’s work. Professionals, be they athletes or musicians, also often immerse themselves in what appears to be hard work within their fields of interest. Yet, they take pleasure in these activities. In the same vein, those who are devoted to God’s work find enjoyment in their endeavours and might even be disconcerted by others who view their efforts as merely arduous. Instead of pity, it is more fitting to recognize the presence of God’s work in their lives and offer thanksgiving and praise God, accordingly.
Feeling compelled to perform certain acts as a fulfilment of Christian duties may lead one astray. Without passion and joy in one’s actions, there may be no spiritual commitment, only a physical drive to attain salvation. This applies to giving to a worthy cause, as suggested by Jesus. A person who gives only to receive praise from others should not presume that, while it may be appreciated by many, it is pleasing to God.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV).
Changing one’s mindset is frequently more achievable than undertaking physical activities. A person who desires recognition for their benevolent deeds is anchored in the physical realm. Similarly, one who is easily upset when their good actions go unnoticed also resides in the physical world. In contrast, it takes a spiritual individual to dismiss insults and continue life, seemingly impervious to such slights, as if shielded by the Holy Spirit.
Christianity calls for the resolve to face that which is uncomfortable to the body. For example, Jesus explicitly commanded His disciples to love their adversaries and pray for their persecutors. For a Christian, the notion of revenge is dismissed. Christians are taught not to react in kind when provoked or exploited. Essentially, a Christian describes a person who is prepared to engage in actions that ordinary individuals might avoid.
It appears there is an unwritten rule suggesting that what one fears the most dominates them. The readiness to face anything in life sets one on a path to overcome all challenges. Pain and death are among the most dreaded experiences. Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, showed reluctance to endure such trials. He prayed thrice, requesting God to remove the burden, yet ultimately He chose to endure, thus accomplishing His purpose (Matthew 26:36-42).
The concept of transformation requires embracing those things that are typically sources of sorrow. Therefore, Jesus taught His disciples to rejoice amidst persecution and slander from the wicked. A Christian is someone who has overcome the fear of death, seeing it as a gateway to salvation. Baptism represents a commitment to endure trials that are often seen as perilous, in the pursuit of truth, without yielding.
In essence, an individual who undergoes baptism is declaring their readiness to confront death for the sake of Jesus. It is believed that the sooner such a person passes away, the better it is for them. Life entails a pledge to endure various hardships, whether these difficulties arise or not, a Christian should be prepared to meet them. This is the reason Jesus emphasized the need to be willing to face death in order to gain eternal life. Those who still find worth in earthly life cannot consider themselves true Christians, as progress necessitates transformation. Hence, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that one must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99