The Wind Blows

Scripture: John 3:5-8 (NKJV) 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Background: Nicodemus just asked Jesus the question, "How can a man be born again?" He is still thinking in terms of a physical rebirth, which of course is absurd. Jesus was not being absurd, He was talking about mankind's need of salvation. As humans, we carry all the weaknesses and flaws that are common to all of us. Jesus said, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This is the key to a transformed life--God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit invades our spirit and begins to change us from the inside out. How do we know that this has taken place? Jesus compared it to the wind. You cannot see the wind, or explain the wind; however, the power of the wind is obvious.

Observations: I grew up in a part of the country where the wind blows. I'm not talking breezy--I'm talking about Spring winds of 25-40 mile an hour winds everyday. Although the wind cannot be seen, the dust that it kicks up is unavoidable. Shingles are blown off roofs, tree limbs are broken, the sound of the wind whistles through the attic and tumbleweeds roll down the road. When a person is born again the work of the Holy Spirit is also unmistakable. He makes a life changing, transforming difference in the life of a Believer. The Apostle Paul talked specifically about some of the fruit that the Holy Spirit will produce in and through the life of those that have been born again. Gal 5:22-25 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Father, You are glorious and great, my Redeemer and Lord; may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on this earth and in my life as it is in heaven. I pray that the work of the Holy Spirit would be evident in the way I live my life. May I be more loving towards others--more passionate about my relationship with You--and may the attitudes of my heart and everyday decisions bring You glory.