"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" - John 3:3 & 7
A few days ago, while crossing the Third Mainland bridge, the logs of wood floating on the river caught my attention. The woods must have been cleverly arranged and joined together in a systematic order to be able to float on the river. The colour of the wood has gradually changed from reddish brown to black. While reflecting on that amazing sight, I remembered this African proverb below:-
"No matter how long a log stays in the water, it does not become a crocodile"- (Congolese proverb)
One of the greatest challenge today is that many woods are now claiming to be crocodiles. But can a wood really become a crocodile by staying long in water? The answer is a capital "NO". The truth is, it does not matter how long a log of wood floats on water, it can never become a crocodile. Though, the colour of a wood may change to that of a crocodile but a wood will always remain a wood forever.
In John 3:1-7, Jesus Christ corroborates this salient truth in his conversation with Nicodemus, a prominent Jewish religious leader. Jesus told him emphatically that being religious is not a prerequisite for making heaven. It is possible to be visible in church like a log of wood and yet one's name is not in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 21:27). Also, occupying a privileged position and obtaining high ordination status are not automatic tickets into the kingdom of God. Unfortunately, many people are floating like crocodiles in the church today with some of these credentials but they are not genuinely saved. They are ordinary floating wood pretending to be real crocodiles in the river of faith (Matthew 7:23). What a height of deception!
Beloved, are you a log of wood pretending to be a crocodile? No matter how long you have succeeded in deceiving everyone that you are a child of God, you cannot become one except you genuinely surrender to the Lord Jesus. The length of years you have been in church is inconsequential if you are not genuinely saved. The fact that your wood can float like a crocodile in water does not make you a crocodile. Your charisma, affluence, talents, etc cannot turn wood to crocodile in God's sight. Therefore, God is urging you to stop floating in the river of religion but run to Calvary for the power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). Please make that great decision today and you will never regret that you did.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" - John 1:12
"Ye Must Be Born Again" is the title of a special hymn that reiterates Christ's response to Nicodemus in John 3:1-7.
YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN By William T. Sleeper
To ask Him the way of salvation and light;
The Master made answer in words true and plain,
"Ye must be born again."
Refrain:
"Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again;
I verily, verily say unto thee,
Ye must be born again."
2. Ye children of men, attend to the word
So solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord;
And let not this message to you be in vain,
"Ye must be born again."
3. O ye who would enter that glorious rest,
And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest;
The life everlasting if ye would obtain,
"Ye must be born again."
4. A dear one in heaven thy heart yearns to see,
At the beautiful gate may be watching for thee;
Then list to the note of this solemn refrain,
"Ye must be born again."
May God drive out the spirit of religion in His church and replace it with real hunger and thirst for genuine repentance/salvation in Jesus name, Amen.
Good day and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit-
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