SEEING AND ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD

When Nicodemus asked Jesus what His doctrine was, He replied:
« I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. »(John 3:3)

Nicodemus said to him: « How can a man be born when he is old? » Nicodemus asked. « Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born! »(John 3:4)

Jesus answered him: « I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. »(John 3:5)

Jesus makes a distinction between Seeing the kingdom of God and Entering the kingdom of God.

To see the kingdom of God, the believer must be born again.
To enter the kingdom of God, the believer must be born of water and the Spirit.

What then is the meaning of “born again”?
It is coming to faith in Jesus Christ and converting. Thus the believer is forgiven of his sins.
Through conversion, the believer is begotten to a new spiritual life in relationship with God.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, and through his conversion, the believer becomes aware of the spiritual world, and is able to see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
However, repenting, being a believer and seeing the kingdom of God is not enough for Jesus. He further desires that the believer bring his life under His authority and become His disciple.
This is what he calls « entering the kingdom of God ».

And to be able to enter the kingdom of God, the born again (the spiritual life that is « begotten » by conversion) the believer must be born through two stages of obedience: « Born of water and born of the Spirit ».

What is the meaning of “born of water”?
Being born of water is the image of water baptism, the immersion in water, which follows conversion.
Water baptism is the public confession of faith in Jesus Christ, it shows conversion and “being conceived in the spiritual world”, visible to all. This is the first step in obedience.

What is the meaning of “born of the Spirit”?
After baptism, the Christian must place his life under the authority of Jesus. Jesus calls this: being born of the Spirit.
It is through this second step of obedience that believers become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Being born of water and the Spirit, living as a disciple of Jesus, He(Jesus) calls this: entering the kingdom of God.

PRAYER:
Lord our God, help us to enter your kingdom.
It is in the precious name of your son Jesus Christ that we pray, Amen.

THE LION OF JUDAH MISSION IN THE WORLD©
thelionofjudahmission@gmail.com
☎: +250 730 900 900
KIGALI – RWANDA