April 17 2023: Bible Verse of the Day – Monday of the Second Week of Easter – Unless One Is Born of Water and Spirit He Cannot Enter The Kingdom of God – John 3:1-8
4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
John 3:1-8
5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
Let us Pray: Dear God, today I renew my baptismal vows. I wholeheartedly reject all forms of sin and affirm my unwavering belief in Your Son, Jesus Christ.
I humbly ask for the grace required to live up to the honorable calling You have placed upon my life. Amen.
Bible Verse of the Day for April 17 2023 Reflections
In John 3:1-8, Jesus teaches Nicodemus about the nature of salvation and what it means to be born again.
Jesus makes it clear that unless one is born again, one cannot see the kingdom of God. This emphasizes the need for salvation, as without it, one cannot enter into eternal life with God.
“Being born again” is a frequently asked question among evangelical Christians, but it is one that we should also ask ourselves. Therefore, have you experienced this spiritual rebirth, and what does it truly entail?
It is our hope that we can all confidently respond with a resounding “Yes!” to this question.
According to Scripture, we must undergo a spiritual transformation through Christ, in which our old selves are put to death and we are reborn into a new self. This is the essence of becoming a Christian, as we embark on a fresh journey with Christ.
Jesus uses the analogy of being “born again” to illustrate the spiritual transformation that occurs when a person believes in Him. This rebirth is not physical, but rather a change in the heart and mind.
To experience a spiritual rebirth, one must be baptized through the Holy Spirit and water. Baptism signifies the death of our old selves and rebirth into a new self in Christ.
As we submerge into the waters of baptism, we die with Christ, and upon rising from the water, we are born again in Him. This remarkable transformation is a direct result of the baptism experience.
As a consequence of being baptized, we are embraced into the intimate relationship of the Holy Trinity.
Although most of us were baptized as infants, it is an event that we seldom reflect upon. However, we should intentionally ponder upon its significance.
The sacrament of baptism is a continuous and perpetual source of blessings in our lives, as it imprints an everlasting mark on our souls.
This “mark” represents an eternal flow of grace that never ceases, similar to an inexhaustible well of blessings.
We receive perpetual nourishment and revival from this well of grace, enabling us to fulfill our divine call to live with dignity. This well supplies us with the grace required to live as children of God, upholding our status as His beloved offspring in heaven.
Take a moment today to ponder upon your personal baptism. Easter is an opportune time to rekindle the sacrament of baptism.
Utilizing holy water can be a simple yet powerful way to accomplish this. The next time you attend church, consciously remind yourself of your baptism, and the honor and grace bestowed upon you through this sacrament, by making the sign of the cross on your forehead with holy water.
Your baptism has transformed you into a brand new creation. Strive to comprehend and embody this new life you have received during the Easter season.
Let us Pray: Dear God, today I renew my baptismal vows. I wholeheartedly reject all forms of sin and affirm my unwavering belief in Your Son, Jesus Christ.
I humbly ask for the grace required to live up to the honorable calling You have placed upon my life. Amen.
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