One Year Bible – Day 123

/ Just Add Water. Chris Bonham

S – Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit

John 3:5–6 CSB

O – Commentary:  

Various views are given to explain Jesus’ words about being born of water and the Spirit:

(1) The “water” refers to the natural birth, and the “Spirit” to the birth from above.

(2) The “water” refers to the Word of God (Eph. 5:26).

(3) The “water” refers to baptism as an essential part of regeneration. (This view contradicts other Bible verses that make it clear that salvation is by faith alone; e.g., John 3:16, 36; Eph. 2:8–9; Titus 3:5.)

(4) The “water” is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37–39).

(5) The “water” refers to the repentance ministry of John the Baptist, and the “Spirit” refers to the application by the Holy Spirit of Christ to an individual.

The fifth view has the merit of historical propriety as well as theological acceptability. John the Baptist had stirred the nation by his ministry and stress on repentance (Matt. 3:1–6). “Water” would remind Nicodemus of the Baptist’s emphasis. So Jesus was saying that Nicodemus, in order to enter the kingdom, needed to turn to Him (repent) in order to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – There is a physical and spiritual birth needed for salvation.   When someone decides that God is rightfully the One and only God, it causes us to recognize our own sinful nature.  It establishes the relationship of God to his creation and we repent of those sins.  We physically do this. This allows for the spiritual birth to happen as we are awakened to the spiritual realm and the Holy Spirit.

R – Father, we surrender and worship You as  the one, true God.  You are Holy and there is no other god.  We surrender and worship you today.  We offer our physical bodies today to be used by you to accomplish your will.  We invite the Holy Spirit to align us with your character as we love You and others today.