Born Of Water And Spirit

When Nicodemus came to Jesus at NIGHT he simply could not grasp what it was Jesus was saying. Although, what Jesus was trying to convey about “being born again” was quite simple. And for those who have “eyes to see” quite beautiful. Here is the passage below to bring you up to speed about what it is I am going to reveal today.

John 3
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 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.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 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.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Now, I have written about this before. And yet, I feel as though a short entry may add some much-needed light to this topic. Because most people today really have no idea what “being born again” means. Most believe it is what happens after you say the magic words “I accept Jesus Christ to be my lord and Savior” … oh, if it were that simple. Sadly, it takes a bit more than the recitation of these simply words to be “born again”. And so, I will once again try to explain this to you.

The scriptures, as you may or may not know, are very symbolic. They are filled with allegory. Jesus, himself, was said to only speak in parable to those without understanding. And so, for ten years I have been sharing the keys to unlocking the rich treasure found within this great book. I pray these words I am sharing will be inspired and that they will help you go farther in your walk. I pray these words will be LIFE to you.

Let me break the above verses down.

A man named Nicodemus, which ironically translates into “conqueror”, there is a REASON for that. A Name MEANS “A NATURE”. A CONQUEROR is one that overcomes another by force. And we know the “Kingdom” (right thinking, peace, joy) cannot be TAKEN by FORCE.

Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

He was A RULER of the JEWS. (We also know that the greatest is not one who rules but who serves)

Here we have the picture of a RELIGIOUS LEADER who came to JESUS AT NIGHT.

The same came to Jesus by NIGHT, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

This is symbolic of not only being afraid of what others thought, but also symbolic of coming to learn something in total ignorance.

People STUMBLE in the Dark. They cannot completely SEE/comprehend the depth and breadth of their “surroundings” in darkness/ignorance.

Night is obviously symbolic of IGNORANCE/DARKNESS.

And so, it was a dead giveaway that Nicodemus would not be able to grasp the LIGHT of what Jesus shared because he came to Jesus by NIGHT. Which is why he immediately responded by saying, ” 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.”

He knew that Nicodemus was not going to learn a thing this night (while ignorant). He knew that UNLESS the old religious/carnal/egotistical Nicodemus identity died allowing the child of God within to take over, the truth had no place in him.

This is what it means to be Born Again you see. To DIE of who you thought you were and to be BORN from within in the TRUTH of who you TRULY ARE.

Those of the “night” don’t understand this.

Jesus however did… He was/is NOT A CHILD OF THE NIGHT… and nor are we.

Therefore let us not SLEEP (REMAIN IGNORANT) as they do.

1 Thessalonians 5:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Nicodemus tells Jesus, “we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Jesus responds… “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Let’s visit that for a moment.

If Nicodemus REALLY knew Jesus was a teacher come from God, he would not have been afraid to visit during the day. He didn’t know and Jesus understood that. I find myself speaking to pastors and bishops much the same way. I meet them where they are at. When they tell me they cannot be offended… I understand that they can, and will be offended, because they, like Nicodemus aren’t ready for the truth that will set them free.

You see, even if Nicodemus really thought Jesus had the answers it would not matter. There was NO WAY Nicodemus could understand what Jesus was about to share UNLESS HE HIMSELF had been quickened to it. Jesus understood this, as I do, and as many of you reading this right now understand.

A person cannot except the TRUTH of who they are, until they are BORN AGAIN.

Now many today focus on the outward man and the works of the flesh. It is all about this physical world. A coming Savior, A literal kingdom, A real heaven and scary terrible infinite place called hell. Nicodemus was no different.

Those that are BORN OF THE FLESH are FLESH. This is why Nicodemus said… “How can a person be born again? Can they enter their Mother’s Womb a second time?” — You see, Nicodemus, like many today, is focused on the temporal (the physical, the sensual) and NOT THE ETERNAL. And those that focus on such and put their faith in such, CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD(Right thinking, Peace, Joy, Power).

1 Corinthians 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

And so when Nicodemus replied, “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

Jesus’ answer was simple… “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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Before I explain this last part, I want to bring your attention to what is on the line here. “The KINGDOM OF GOD”. This is what it is all about people. ENTERING INTO THIS KINGDOM. Now many are waiting for it to return, and many others believe you only get there after death, but if truth be told the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is not some far away place… (that should be obvious if you are subscribed to this site)

Luke 17
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The Kingdom of GOD is WITHIN YOU. LITERALLY. It is WITHIN the IDEA OF WHO YOU ARE. It is RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY.

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

The KINGDOM (which literally translates into “REIGN or RULE”) of God… the RULE OF GOD (LOVE) is RIGHT THINKING, PEACE, AND JOY in the HOLY GHOST (spirit of life that cannot be seen but can be felt, much like the wind)

I would also like to point out that the MEAT AND DRINK that the Kingdom/Rule of God is NOT is… FLESH AND BLOOD.

John 6:55
For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

It is ALL ABOUT entering the KINGDOM (RULE) OF GOD. Which is another way of saying, ENTERING INTO GOD’S REST. No longer kicking against the pricks of life that are meant to get us back on the RIGHT/TRUE path. No longer operating in a world of illusion but aligning ourselves with our TRUE IDENTITY, that of God’s only begotten child. FLESH AND BLOOD can never inherit this. A LIE can never become the TRUTH. Temporary can never become INFINITE. Who we have believed ourselves to be can never enter into the REALITY OF WHO WE REALLY ARE IN CHRIST (power and wisdom of God-1 Cor 1:24).

Jesus understood this, Nicodemus did not. Like most today, Nicodemus believed it is all about the Flesh. Nicodemus did not know that THE DEAD (IGNORANT) cannot also be the LIVING. For to be carnally minded IS DEATH. And it is impossible for the DEAD (IGNORANT) to know GOD (the truth, love, spirit, creator of all that is and is not yet)

But brothers and sisters, WE ARE NOT NICODEMUS. We are not like those who draw back into perdition.

Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

We are moving forward unto salvation. WHICH IS A NOW EVENT! And we are saved from the LIES we have believed. This is why we are told THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE. And that is why I am sharing this today.

Because as you know now… the FLESH (FALSE IDENTITY) profits nothing. THE WORDS I SPEAK HOWEVER… THEY ARE LIFE 🙂 It is the SPIRIT that quickens (makes alive again)

John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Now, this one verse is a KEY STONE. For it will make everything Jesus shared to Nicodemus CLEAR.

Nicodemus was focus on the LITERAL. (flesh and blood)

Jesus was focused on the SPIRITUAL.

The TWO are like oil and water — they don’t mix.

Romans 8:5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

This is why Jesus said…. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” he knew, as I know, that people like Nicodemus simply aren’t READY to hear the truth. And if they CANNOT HEAR the TRUTH they cannot be BORN OF THE TRUTH. And if they cannot be BORN OF THE TRUTH they can never ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD… Because GOD IS TRUTH!

So Marvel not… Don’t be shocked or surprised… that Jesus said, You MUST be Born again to enter the Kingdom of God… the wind blows where it wants, you hear the sounds of it but you DON’T know where it came from or where it is going… the same is true for everyone who is born of the SPIRIT…. You hear the sound they make, but you don’t know where they came from, or where they are going!

Did you catch that everyone…

This is why Jesus meant when speaking to Nicodemus… Just as a person cannot understand the origins and destinations of the wind, UNTIL they are BORN AGAIN they CANNOT UNDERSTAND YOU!

This is why it is so important not to try to convert people… You will only end up getting people upset. You must share the light to those who can SEE the light, and to those who cannot… ALL THINGS ARE DONE IN PARABLE.

BECAUSE FLESH CANNOT GIVE BIRTH TO SPIRIT… Your self effort will NEVER change someone. But your LOVE WILL.

And so now the parable is revealed…

When Jesus said, “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.” He was speaking of HIS WORDS!

The WATER we must be BORN OF… is the TEACHING OF TRUTH. The greatest of all prayers, “Lord, teach me the truth no matter what the cost,” will afford you that LIVING WATER (WISDOM) within. And the best way to learn is by EXPERIENCE (the things we suffer)

And these WATERS, which become life, which are also know as the WASHING of the WORD (TRUTH)… Can be a lifetime of adversity in the making.

Because through much tribulation we enter the KINGDOM OF GOD. Marvel not, that is say this 😉

To be BORN OF WATER is to be broken and set free from the death of lies. And we are stubborn, which is why we are baptized in these waters throughout our lives… The WATERS of affliction become LIFE to us, you see.

Isaiah 30:20
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the WATER of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

Our hard times are there for a reason. And the VOICE OF GOD (TRUTH) IS ALWAYS UPON THE WATERS OF OUR HARD TIMES… so listen and you will learn next time you enter into adversity.

Psalm 29:3
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.

Revelation 14:2
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters

Marvel not, that I say you MUST BE BORN OF WATER as well as SPIRIT… Without the suffering of the oyster there would be no pearl.

And THIS is why we are told to REJOICE when hard times come.

James 1
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

1 Peter 4
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The word TORMENT that we read of many times in scripture, actually means TO TEST and TO TRY. It is not about punishment people. Our hardships and our trials are there to DIRECT US BACK.

There is MUCH TO LEARN when we “BURN” with the FIRE of suffering. Our anger, shame, fear, jealousy, all of which are lies cause us to suffer. And suffer we will so long as we EXIST in a plain of illusion. And yet, our suffering is also our salvation. For it drives us to freedom when we recognize it.

The disciples understood this…

1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

What DESTROYS the FLESH gives BIRTH to the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.

Jesus said, MY WORDS ARE SPIRIT AND THEY ARE TRUTH… And ONLY SPIRIT gives birth to SPIRIT.

This means, as a flesh body can reproduce other flesh bodies… so can a SIMPLE SPOKEN WORD OF TRUTH REPRODUCE THE TRUTH IN OTHERS!

Our hard times (water) and the spoken truth (spirit) bring us all to the promise land.

Salvation has never been about simply regurgitating some magic words and doing what religious men or women tell you to do. Salvation is understanding that EVERYTHING IS WORKING TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD and that who we have believed ourselves to be is the ENEMY of who we truly are. And a life time of brainwashing does not easily fade away.

As the apostle Paul woke up to the understanding that all of his works were foolish, and that it is a foolish thing to continually kick against the pricks of life (Acts 9:5), so too will you wake up and realize that YOUR HARD TIMES are not a CURSE they are the very thing helping to give you BIRTH!

I pray all of you understand this. I hope you all seek more for you will find more. I long for the day when we all can say, I Have Entered Into That Rest! And I pray the waters of life and these words (spirit of life) help you all to be born once again.

I hope you enjoyed this essay. Please do subscribe, comment, like, and share with others.

Don’t forget under the “more essay” section there are hundreds of other essays on various topics waiting to be uncovered. Do search for more.

Also, my heart felt thanks to you for supporting this site if it has been a blessing to you.

Last but not least, the re-imagined, re-written, re-release of my Novel will be available soon, please do look for it when it arrives. I love you all, Jacob