Chapter 3
More About Salvation
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (Joh 3:1-3 NAS)
Nicodemus had come to Jesus for answers, recognizing that Jesus was a teacher that had come from God. Jesus’ response was an answer to Nicodemus’s yet unasked question. Jesus said: Of a truth, you have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God.
Obviously, Nicodemus was taken aback by this statement, not really understanding what Jesus was saying. In the dialogue that follows Jesus opens up the mystery of the salvation, revealing how God has come to set men free from the bondage of sin. Those of us who have learned of Jesus recognize the different elements of God’s plan. But I wonder how much Nicodemus understood that night. Did he at least understand the sixteenth verse?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (Joh 3:16 NAS)
Earlier I discussed salvation, recognizing our part in which God’s salvation becomes a reality in our own lives. In summary, the elements are acknowledgement, repentance, and baptism, after which we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is through this process that we have a born-again experience, a spiritual birth.
You do not have to fully understand a spiritual birth to experience it any more than you have to understand a physical birth to experience it. But it can be really helpful to those who participate in the process to have a greater understanding. In a natural birth, it can make a difference between life and death if those assisting know and understand their role. Could this be true in the spiritual as well? How can we gain understanding to be helpful in the process of a spiritual birth? How do we know when a new birth results in a healthy child? What is our role in the birth of God’s children?
I could continue with the questions, but I think you can see my point. Spiritual things are not as easily discerned as the physical things. I want to suggest that we can gain some insight about the spiritual from the physical. The physical (or natural) comes first and then the spiritual. By observing and learning about the natural we can gain insight into spiritual things. Just as we are born in the natural, so is it in the spiritual, we must have a spiritual birth. Likewise, following a spiritual birth, we need the milk of the word and later the meat. Through this process, we aim for the same goal in the spiritual as in the physical, that of maturity. Spiritual maturity brings us closer to conformity to the image of Christ.
“Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.” (Eph 4:13 NAS)
A Baby’s First Cry
In the fall of 1982, my wife and I were expecting our first child. I thought that we had prepared ourselves as much as possible, but we still had a lot of apprehension because this was our first. We were admitted into the hospital early in the morning hours hoping it would be a quick delivery. It was not quick nor was it easy. It was 4:00 AM the next morning before my son was born. It was a privileged experience for me to be in the room at this time. I was merely a spectator, for it was my wife who was laboring to bring forth this child. As my son emerged, he seemed stressed, kind of blue, and yucky. Then it happened, he cried. At that moment I took a deep breath and I realized that I had been holding my breath. My apprehension was gone, I breathed out a sigh because now I knew everything was alright. Later as I left the hospital I was struck with this thought: There is something very special about a baby’s first cry.
As I pondered this thought I began to think of the parallel between our natural birth and our spiritual birth. I wished that there would be some way I could share the joy I had experienced with the birth of my first child and the thoughts that followed. As the years passed and I was privileged to witness the births of our other children, each time I was stirred with the reminder that there is something very special about a baby’s first cry. The following is my attempt to capture this thought in a poem.
A Baby’s First Cry
Hand in hand we stood before the hospital door.
The months of waiting would soon be o’er.
The birth of a baby, our hopes fulfilled,
A blessing from God, love revealed.
My wife had yet to face great travail and pain.
So with a prayer for courage, we entered in.
Long was the day, great was the pain.
Into the night with seemingly little gain.
Then she cried, I just can’t take no more.
Mercy came, to us a son was born
His head, his shoulders, then the rest.
I stood in silence, I held my breath.
Then his cry pierced through the night.
I breathed a sigh, he was all right!
My poor aching wife, about to die.
Miraculously revived, when she heard that cry.
The birth of my firstborn, I saw, and more.
Before my eyes a mother was born.
In the early light of dawn,
I pondered all that that night had gone on.
This thought still lingered as I wondered why,
There’s something very special about a baby’s first cry.
Friends now gather round me
My joyful heart shouts for jubilee
Everything is quit all right.
I heard my baby cry tonight.
That very first cry in the night,
Meant everything was quite all right.
Concern and worry lost their voice,
My heart was freed then to rejoice.
Heart now filled with joy and love.
My thoughts now went to God above.
Who through my musing brought this thought,
How through God’s love salvation brought.
Through great travail he bore the cross
That we through birth might not be lost
And like a woman, her all will give.
He gave his all that we might live.
That we might then of God be born
And share in that eternal morn.
I saw a thief upon a tree.
He cried, “Oh Lord, remember me.”
And as Jesus turned his way,
A son of God, was born that day.
And as the thief, his cry was voicing.
All Heaven broke out in great rejoicing.
That very first cry of a newborn son.
Meant that it’s all right and a victory is won.
Many times at the altar a soul will pray.
In anguish he seems, but this is God’s way.
“Father forgive me.” God hears his cry.
All saints rejoice, for now it’s all right.
A sinner’s sins have all been forgiven.
A baby is born and bound for heaven.
We have now had four babes, and they are growing
We cry when they cry, and hurt when they groan.
But we did not weep when we heard their first cry.
We sang praises to God, and breathed out a sigh.
Yes there is something very special about a baby’s first cry.
I think even in heaven, it means all is all right.
Bob Gunderson
“For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.” (1Pe 1:23 NAS)
In our spiritual new birth that first cry is very important. That cry reflects our acknowledgment of sin and willingness to give it up. This is what it means to repent. If our tears and sorrow are indeed a cry of repentance, it may be a sign that we are breathing on our own. It is our willingness to renounce sin and embrace righteousness that allows God to cleanse us from sin and fill us with His Spirit. As we breathe that heavenly breath (spirit) we are born again of that imperishable seed. Our path is laid out in front of us to feed on God’s Word, learning and growing on our path to maturity in Christ Jesus. We have become a new creature in Christ, a disciple, submitted to the instruction of God’s Word and discipline of His Holy Spirit.
What Happened?
Now if you have been around awhile you may have observed that often there are individuals who have verbally confessed that they have accepted Christ and become a Christian, yet there is little or no change to their behavior. Just as it is in our physical development, we should be concerned if there is a lack of progress or growth spiritually. I previously cautioned that we don’t prematurely announce a new birth simply because someone verbally confessed faith. I want to take us back to my comparison of a spiritual birth to a physical birth to possibly help us understand what may be wrong.
When my children were born I began seeing the new birth in light of the parallel comparisons with our physical births. I think it is possible to gain even more understanding by going deeper in this process. I think that it may help us assist people as they navigate their way through understanding and accepting God’s wonderful plan of salvation.
As we present the Gospel message often there are people that are ready to repent and be born again. But what if they are not ready? What if they appear to be hesitant? Should we press the issue? Should we encourage them to just repeat after me and lead them step by step through the process? Or should we concede failure and move on?
Patience
Unless there is a pronounced rejection of Christ, I would suggest that we move forward with caution. Sometimes we may be just way upstream in this process. The natural process does not start with the birth of a child. It begins with the planting of a seed in a fertile place. When seed is sown we do not even know if the seed has been accepted. By the time we are aware that a woman is pregnant the new life is already beginning to take form. If all goes well at the appointed time a baby will be born. In the natural, it will not help to become impatient. For a baby to be ready for birth there is a lot of development that needs to take place. Rather than impatience, we need to make sure that the developing baby is adequately taken care of. How do we do that? We take care of the baby by taking care of the mother because she is the source of nourishment and protection for this unborn baby. A healthy mother is important if we want a healthy baby that will live to full term. A baby receives his nourishment from his connection to his mother.
In the spiritual realm, God intended for the Church to tend to His children. The Church should act as the spiritual connection for those that have turned toward the Word of God. The spiritual period of development is not an exact time period like in the physical, but there needs to be a time in which faith develops. During this time, it is often the testimonies of those who are committed that help feeds their faith and the development of the seeker. The love and attention that is given provide needed nourishment and protection. On the flip side, an unhealthy church can kill the developing baby through neglect or by damaging his fragile beginning. Impatience creates frustration and does not shorten the process.
The Miracle Birth
Every birth is a miracle. The transition from the mother’s womb to the outside world is dramatic and traumatic. For nine months the baby’s growth and development have been preparing him for this moment as he emerges into the world. To start with the gate to the outside world is too small to accommodate the baby because it has grown too large. But God’s miraculous design makes it possible for the gate to open just large enough for the baby to squeeze through. Even at this point, it is through increased pressure and intense trauma that a baby squeezes through that narrow gate. And what a shock it is as the baby emerges. All of his organs are now fully formed and for the first time, they begin to function. As the baby’s first cry erupts his lungs are filled with air. His senses come alive he is exposed to the cool air and the blinding light. From this point on he will begin to take an active part in breathing, eating, and learning about the world around him.
From this brief description of the natural birth of a child, we can learn something about the process of our spiritual birth. We can see that the process of child development often starts well before we are aware of it. After we are aware that changes are taking place in a person, we need to be patient and nourish and protect that development. If we are diligent to do our part, with time God’s Word will produce a child prepared for new life. We can participate in the development and birth of this child, but in the end, the new birth is a miracle of God’s mercy and grace that breathes life into this child. Truly this is a time for celebration.
“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Lu 15:10 NAS)
I think the celebration of life should continue in recognition that the grace of God continues to bless each soul as they grow and mature through the Word of God. We celebrate the physical birthdays. How much more important was our spiritual birth. To have received the gift of life is a great treasure and we are treasured by our Heavenly Father.
The Family of God
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2Pe 3:18 NAS)
When a baby is born in a family it affects every member. The church as a whole is responsible for making sure that this baby is taken care of. Babies need to be provided with nurturing and nourishment. Our Heavenly Father has provided all things necessary, but we are expected to prepare the food and feed these little ones. Babies need to be fed warm milk, to begin with. As they grow their needs will change but help is required throughout the process of maturing. In a healthy family, all members contribute to one degree or another.
I mention this because without proper care babies can get sick and die. It is no different in the spiritual. It takes a lot of effort to do things properly. The new birth is just the beginning. It seems like neglect is rampant in our world today and God’s children are often under nourished and sickly. Again, I want to emphasize that everyone that is in God’s family has a role in caring for his Children.
“He *said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus *said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’” (Joh 21:17 NAS)
Jesus is concerned about the well-being of His children. Properly tending to the spiritual development is as important as it is in the physical. A healthy church produces healthy Christians and we all have a role in this process. Keep this in mind as you fellowship with fellow believers. If we love Jesus we will be concerned with what concerns Him. High on the list is the feeding and nourishing of His lambs and His sheep.