The Difference Between Knowing And Being

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? -  John 3:5-12

I am certain that if you asked Nicodemus about anything in the Torah he could answer in detail. Maybe even quote other Rabbis or teachers of the Law. But now talking to Jesus, he was faced with the need to have heart knowledge not just head knowledge.  I suspect that he was troubled - why else would he come to speak to Jesus at night - with no one else to hear?  Well except for the disciples perhaps. 

Isn't that the way spiritual transformation works? There you are minding your own business and then "BAM" an unsettled feeling comes over you. You are no longer content with knowing facts. You sense that there is a greater truth that you are being confronted with. That is God at work.  He is the source of spiritual revelation. Remember Jesus responding to Peter in Matthew 16

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 16:13-17

Me were trying to figure out who Jesus was from the natural - what they knew - but the truth was supernatural and required spiritual revelation not searching the scriptures and figuring it out. When you come to a saving knowledge of who Jesus is and what your response must be - that is a spiritual revelation.   And your heart was fertile soil so the Gospel could take root - while others may hear ore read the same many times - but to no spiritual consequence. I don't pretend to understand it. I know, and most likely you do to, know people who have rejected Jesus. Or worse thought they were doing the right things to make it through the gates of heaven.  Going to church - believing spiritual truth as best a lost person can - but falling short of spiritual transformation - being born again spiritually as Jesus point out to Nicodemus. Who immediately turned to the natural saying it is not possible to return to his mother's womb.

 if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9

OK, so not long ago I  had someone tell me that if "that is all ya gotta do ... I'm good! So what is "THAT"? Saying words and agreeing that Jesus was resurrected is a stretch for people, but can be accepted intellectually and not received in the heart where rebirth takes place.  

Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. Matthew 13:5-7

The truth can be received but it does not goes past the head. And Nicodemus, well .....  

Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. - John 19:39-40

The Bible does not speak fully whether he was born again, but those verses offer a ray of hope that if he was willing to join with Jesus' followers, that perhaps we will be seeing Nicodemus in Heaven.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone