Salvation In The Present Tense
We often speak of salvation of something that happened – not something that’s happening.
In our second week of Lent, we look at the story of a man in the midst of a crisis of faith; not because he didn’t have all the right answers, but because all those right answers came face to face with Jesus. Nicodemus is invited to be “born again,” an invitation we, too receive. So what does it mean to live into this new birth with Jesus?
As we walk through the Christian year together, each season will be accompanied by a guiding question – a question to wrestle with, pray through, and bring to God. During the season of Lent, as we give our attention towards the cross, we’re asking together: “Where are we being drawn into repentance?”
In John 3:1–2, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. Why do you think he chose to come at night? What might that detail tell us about his spiritual state or his fears?
Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit like the wind (the Greek word for Spirit can also mean wind!). What does this tell us about the nature of the Spirit’s work in us? How does this shape our understanding of salvation?
If we’re a Christian, our journey began with being “born again.” For some, this was a clear, definable moment in our story. For others, this was a series of moments over time that opened our eyes to God. Take a minute to share about how you became a Christian!
Salvation is not just something that happens to us. It’s something that’s happening – in the present tense. How might we see and participate in God’s saving work in us today?
We believe Jesus is restoring people who restore the world. Our mission is to join him.
“The Greek term metanoia—traditionally and inadequately translated as ‘repentance’ — means something more like ‘a radical change of mind,’ or ‘a fundamental intellectual re-orientation,’ through which we turn away from older habits of thought and action and embrace a new way of thinking and living. Repentance means not primarily a sense of regret, but a renunciation of narrow and sectarian human views which are not large enough for God’s mystery.”
Alister McGrath
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night.”
John 3:1-2a NIV
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
John 3:2 NIV
The assumption: Jesus fits neatly into the world we know and into the convictions we hold.
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
John 3:3-5 NIV
To be “born again” is to unlearn and relearn everything in light of Jesus.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
John 3:6-8 NIV
“How can this be?”
John 3:9a NIV
Nicodemus had the right answers about Jesus. but He didn’t have Jesus.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV
Being born again from above is a perennial, perpetual and eternal beginning — a freshness all the time in thinking, and in talking, and in living. It is the continual surprise of the life of God.”
Oswald Chambers
““The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.”
Dallas Willard