“Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), “Very truly, I tell you, no one
can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (John
3:3, NRSV)
These
words contain the foundation of all practical religion here, and happiness
hereafter. It is the principal doctrine Christ, as a prophet, came to teach,
and as a King to work in the heart… You must become a new man, if you would
have acquaintance with evangelical mysterious…Man in his natural generation is
but mere nature, and cannot apprehend, cannot enjoy that which is only
apprehensible and enjoyable by a spiritual nature; but man regenerated by the
Spirit is spiritual, and is advanced above mere flesh, for he is made partaker
of the divine nature. So that Christ’s argument runs thus: No flesh can enter
into the kingdom of God; but every man naturally is flesh, unless born again of
the Spirit; therefore no man, unless born again of the Spirit can enter into
the kingdom of God. (Stephen Charnock)
The Works of
Stephen Charnock,
Volume Three, pages 7, 9, 11)
Thanks for sharing this quote, Gregg.
ReplyDeleteHow very true! To God be the glory for His work of salvation!!
ReplyDeleteGreat quote! Thanks, Gregg!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff Gregg! I often think that we are only immortal because of an eternal spirit born in us.
ReplyDelete