Scripture teaches that faith is essential. Without faith there is no salvation. The new birth is also essential because without the new birth, there is no faith. John 3:7 is not a must of command, but a must of necessity. It is necessary for you to be born again so you can believe the gospel and not perish.
Inferences of the Must
1. The must shows the helplessness of human inability Verse 7 is expansion of verses 3 and 5 which state that unless you are born again, you cannot see or enter the kingdom of God. The word 'see' speaks of perceiving and understanding. Romans 3:11a states there is none that understandeth. The word 'enter' speaks of a choice. By nature man will not choose because the will is enslaved. Romans 3:11b states there is none that seeketh after God. Man does not seek God because he does not want God. We must be born again if we would understand and choose the kingdom of God which is God's reign in the hearts of men.
2. The must gives hope If any man is going to be saved, it is necessary for him to be born again. Man can't do it himself but yet we see that people do come to Christ. Rebirths do happen. God does intervene. The must can't be met by the sinner but is met by God's grace. The rebirth gives us hope of divine sovereign intervention
3. The must should be understood in light of human responsibility Human responsibility and divine sovereignty go together. God changes our nature so that those who will not call will call and those that will not come will come. Look at the man with the withered hand. How can you do what you are not able to do? When God gives a command, he gives the power to obey that command. All of God and your duty.
SERMON ACTIVITY
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