Jesus answered and said to him, ’Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
one is born again, he cannot see the
Sometimes
we are fresh and eager to attend a prayer meeting, but do we feel that same
freshness for such mundane tasks as polishing shoes?
Being
born again by the Spirit is an unmistakable work of God, as mysterious as the
wind, and as surprising as God Himself. We don’t know where it begins— it is
hidden away in the depths of our soul. Being born again from above is an
enduring, perpetual, and eternal beginning. It provides a freshness all the
time in thinking, talking, and living— a continual surprise of the life of God.
Staleness is an indication that something in our lives is out of step with God.
We say to ourselves, “I have to do this thing or it will never get done.” That
is the first sign of staleness. Do we feel fresh this very moment or are we stale,
frantically searching our minds for something to do? Freshness is not the
result of obedience; it comes from the Holy Spirit. Obedience keeps us “in the
light as He is in the light . . .” (1 John 1:7).
Jealously
guard your relationship with God. Jesus prayed “that they may be one just as We are one”-with nothing in between (John 17:22).
Keep your whole life continually open to Jesus Christ. Don’t pretend to be open
with Him. Are you drawing your life from any source other than God Himself? If
you are depending on something else as your source of freshness and strength,
you will not realize when His power is gone.
Being born of the Spirit means much more than we usually
think. It gives
us new vision and keeps us absolutely fresh for everything through the
never-ending supply of the life of God.
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” January 20)