Lent Devotional - Day 5

Read John 3:1-21

As a prominent teacher within the Sanhedrin comes to Jesus secretly to learn more from him, Jesus clearly shares the gospel message with Nicodemus. Jesus outlines our need to be spiritually born again. The disobedience at the Garden of Eden has caused all of us to experience a spiritual death and thus separation from God. This has led to the whole world living according to the flesh.

Have you been born again? Have you believed in Jesus? Jesus himself states: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Believing in Jesus requires the acknowledgement that we are sinners and that we are forsaking the way we used to live, then inviting Jesus’ rule and reign into our lives.

Belief requires actions that align and support that belief. True believers’ lives change as they follow Jesus because they begin to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and make necessary adjustments in their lives that reveal that they leaving darkness and are walking in the light.

As wencontinue to walk in the light, our sinfulness and increasing need for Jesus will be clearly revealed. Don’t feel like a failure, but rejoice because the true sign of spiritual maturity is greater dependence on Jesus in an increasing measure.

May we not be so proud that we would only come to Jesus in secret, but may you experience true freedom and peace as you step into the light through God’s unique son, Jesus.