Spiritual Beginning 2

We all need to ask ourselves a serious question: have we made a personal effort to get Jesus’ attention?

Not casually. Not by association. Personally.

Think of Nathanael. There was intent. There was movement. There was a decision to come and see for himself. That’s where it begins.

If you think you are religious because of tradition, because of your household, or because of how you were raised, think again.

Ask yourself this: Are you more religious than Nicodemus?

He was a teacher of the Jewish faith. A man of knowledge, position, and discipline. And yet Jesus said to him plainly:

“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - John 3:3

Nicodemus immediately went to the intellectual: “How can a man be born when he is old?” He tried to reason it out.

But this is where many miss it, God has already established the way.

Not evidence first, then belief.

But belief… then receiving.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” - Hebrews 11:1

Could God have done it the other way around? Of course He could have.

But He chose faith.

Even though creation itself declares His existence, He still calls for something deeper - an honest, personal engagement from those who are serious about their sin, serious about who His Son is, and serious about what was accomplished on Calvary.

What Jesus achieved as a man is beyond our understanding.

The Passion of the Christ tried to capture it. And while it gave a glimpse, the reality is far greater than anything we could ever fully grasp.

The suffering. The weight. The cost.

And yet - He chose to die for a sinner like me.

Now here is the question that really matters:

Can you say that - with confidence?

Can you say, without hesitation, that Jesus died for you?

Are you absolutely persuaded?

Because if you’re honest, and when you’re alone with your thoughts, heaven feels like a guessing game-a “maybe,” like hoping your numbers come up in the Lotto - then something is not settled.

This is not something to gamble with.

You must be able to say with certainty: I have been born again.

Because Jesus also said:

“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” - John 3:5

If that certainty is not there, then don’t ignore it.

Err on the side of caution.

Find a place where you can be alone. Get on your knees. Cry out to Jesus not because of your merit, but because of your demerit.

Because no one gets to heaven by being “good enough.”

“...there is none righteous, no, not one.” - Romans 3:10

The idea that your good will outweigh your bad is a lie.

And Scripture is clear about the one behind that lie:

“…the devil… the deceiver of the whole world…” - Revelation 12:9

He is the father of lies, and he is taking with him all those he can deceive.

Don’t be one of them.

Think of it like this—

You’re caught in a burning building. Flames everywhere. Smoke fills the room. And through it all, you hear a voice:

“Fire Department! Call out!”

Do you stay silent?

No.

You use everything in you and cry out:

“Save me! I’m here!”

That is the urgency.

That is the posture.

And Scripture gives the promise:

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13

Being born again and being saved are not separate ideas; they are one and the same.

So, if you haven’t genuinely called-truly called-perhaps today is the day to pause, reflect, and respond.

This is personal.

This is eternal.

This is now

Signing off
Tyrone