That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6
Birth is preceded by conception. Whether physical birth or spiritual birth, there are parents involved. So what did Jesus mean when He talked about flesh and spirit with respect to the new birth?
To be born physically, the union of a man and a woman are necessary. Coming from them, I resemble them. I have their DNA in my bones. I have my grandmother’s nose, my aunt’s musical ability, my father’s gentle spirit, my mother’s gift of compassion, and a combination of their gestures and facial movements. That’s why Jesus said, ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh.’
To be born spiritually, there is also a birth by a parent. A new Father calls me His child. He touches my dead spirit and brings it to life. I’m given a new nature, His nature. I’m given undeserved righteousness, His righteousness. Begotten of God, I become like the One who gave me a spiritual birth. That’s why Jesus said, ‘That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’
But, am I more like my earthly parents or my Heavenly Father?” If I’ve been born again, my second birth is to trump the first. The second birth is to re-define my whole identity. It is meant to re-shape whatever has been disfigured by formation inside a human family. My perfect Father intends to re-parent me. He’s eager to fix what was broken and mature what was stunted. He blesses the righteous seeds of my parents while challenging the sinful legacies. That creates friction ~ both in me, and in my family. Yet, this is what spiritual growth involves.
I can pray the sinner’s prayer, call myself a child of God, but never engage in a Father/daughter relationship. I do not experience His endearing ways. From lack of intimacy, I don’t become like the One who gave me spiritual life. I cling to the patterns, habits, and beliefs of my earthly family. My history normalized their dysfunction and it feels uncomfortable to step out of line. My family might not like it if I honor Jesus before them. I will potentially lose favor.
Yet, this is the call. I am to leave father and mother to follow God. ‘The family way of doing things’ is to no longer bind me if ‘the family way’ is out of step with the kingdom.
I don’t like not fitting in. I am uncomfortable with criticism, especially from family. Your likeness is what I seek so give me grace for whatever friction my follow. Amen
This scriptural truth needs to be the banner over my life. No one gets to define my worth except my Creator. Not a parent, not a caregiver, not a teacher, not a pastor, not a child or spouse. Only God’s opinion matters because His Word trumps all others as my Creator. He says I’m cherished and that must be lived out by daily acts of faith.
If you read yesterday’s devotional, you remember my story about the red glasses I used to wear as a 4 year old. I threw them away because of ridicule and abandoned the way I was made for a decade or two. Today, I encourage you to consider what your ‘red glasses’ might represent. A dream you abandoned, perhaps, because you were told it was stupid. Each of us wants to be loved and to belong and will change who we are to get it. Our authentic self becomes an imposter, but a convincing one. Sometimes, we even fool ourselves into thinking we’re really comfortable in the wrong skin.
For the next four decades, I played it safe and painted my internal world beige so that I could blend in with my surroundings. Once in a while, in a weak moment, my free spirit would peek out but the risk of rejection was ever in front of me. I was my own policeman, squashing the impulses of the best parts of me. This ritual killing of myself almost destroyed me. Daughters of Promise was birthed in my own re-birth.
She came alive as Jesus talked. She rose to engage Him in animated conversation. Thirsty, she finally voiced a desire to what He was offering. “Give me this drink,” she said. But Jesus didn’t answer…. “I’m speaking of myself and this is how you drink of me.” He immediately brought up the subject of her husband which unearthed the most painful of any possible admissions she might have to make. She had been married five times and lived with a sixth man. I often wondered why Jesus’ strategy was to change the subject. Perhaps it was to put His finger on the most painful place in her life. By doing so, the message was this ~ If you want the most profound encounter possible with Me, you must drink of Me where you need Me the most. Because she didn’t shy away, she received new life.
