Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.
John 3:5 and 6
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Of water and the Spirit
Nicodemus can't see how a grown man could be born again. Jesus doesn't make it any easier: of water and the Spirit. As a teacher of Israel, Nicodemus could hear the prophet Ezekiel in this. Ezekiel promised God would wash his people with clean water, give them a new heart and place his Spirit within them.
What is born of a human being stays human. That isn't contempt for the body. It means you can't get there on your own strength. You can't give birth to yourself. A fresh start comes as a gift.
Question for today
How often do I try to improve myself without asking God for his Spirit?
Prayer
God, I can't make myself new. Wash me clean and give me your Spirit, as you promised. Amen.
My prayer
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