I read this devotional that was e-mailed to me and as I read it I noticed that there was a glaring omission. At least to me it was a glaring omission. Not because the passage referenced does not use it. But, because the writer of this devotional is blind to it.

Made to be blind because his understanding of the Bible has as its foundation the gnostic doctrine of original sin and sin nature. The blinders Satan designed specifically for this dispensation of the grace of God. Because only in this dispensation has it been made possible for men to be born again.

You can hear it in the devotional. It’s in his definition of what he believes is the reason Jesus died on the cross. The basis for our belief in Jesus. So to omit this part of the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus shows the blindness all who believe this gnostic doctrine have.

As I quickly read portions of this short devotional see if you can spot the glaring omission this man makes. An omission that is sadly not peculiar to him. Because everyone who has been deceived by the doctrine of original sin and sin nature are blind to the true meaning and importance of being born again.

You can read what he said here: https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/you-must-be-born-again/

Did you see the omission? I asked my wife and daughter about this after reading it to them and it seemed like such an elementary thing that at first they didn’t immediately see it. But, when they thought for a moment about the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus it came to both of them.

In the parting question in this devotional, a good representation of this person’s overall beliefs about salvation, we can help someone like its author see what he has been missing. He missed the spiritual aspect of what Jesus was actually saying to Nicodemus.

Because what Jesus was actually saying, and in fact did say to him, was that his birth from his mother’s womb makes a man to be only flesh and blood. And that to inherit the kingdom of God a man needs to be made a spiritual being. Because when he is born again he is born of the Spirit of God and made a spiritual being himself. Having a spirit now that he never had before.

In 1Cor.2:14-16 Paul says this is the only thing that can make it possible for man to relate to God in a way that since Adam was in the garden was never possible. But, now is made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Something Paul also taught plainly in 1Cor.15:45-56.

So it is the false gnostic doctrine of original sin that blinds men to this truth. They can not see it because their heart is in a different paradigm. One that is constantly thinking in terms of naughty vs nice in regard to our need for Jesus and His salvation. Rather than natural vs spiritual.

And for those who listen to or read the messages I post here I ask this question of you. How would you relate what Jesus said to Nicodemus to someone that has never heard the gospel before? Or even to someone who has heard the gnostic gospel of original sin and sin nature? And is blinded by its salvation by works deception?

Your answer will tell you all you need to know about your relationship with God. Or where you may lack in your understanding of what it is. Which brings me to an often used and many times misunderstood passage Paul wrote in Rom.3:23 where he said “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

We have looked at this passage before. But, as a refresher for some we see here that when Paul says all have sinned he is quoting the prophets of old speaking of Israel’s sin. Like the prophets Paul too did not include those who were trusting in Jesus in this statement. So this does not include everyone who has ever been born into the world.

So seeing that Paul was speaking of all who have not trusted in Jesus. This helps us to understand the next part of this verse as Paul intended it. Saying that those who have not trusted in Jesus “fall short”, which means to lack or be in need of something as this word is many times translated.

So to fall short here means a person lacks what is named next in the passage. And what is named next is “the glory of God.” The glory of God is His presence. And everyone who has been born again has God by the Holy Spirit living in them. They have His presence in them. They do not lack His presence or glory. Only those who do not trust in Jesus lack God’s presence in them. God’s glory.

See how simple this is when understood the way Paul meant it? It does not speak of works as churches do. Otherwise it would mean that we lack God’s presence, His glory, because of works. Which obversely would mean that it is works by which God’s presence is had.

Again, it is the gnostic doctrine of original sin and sin nature, this paradigm so many churches find themselves captive to, that causes a person to gravitate towards salvation by works. Interpreting everything they read in the Bible by this false foundation.

By this they miss the natural vs spiritual gospel that God is showing us throughout the scriptures. Beginning with creation and the events in the garden. Through God’s dealings with Noah, Abraham, and then Moses and the children of Jacob. And finding its culmination with the coming of Jesus.

Whose sole purpose was that men could become spiritual beings through faith in Him and His resurrection. This is why Paul said if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in your heart that He has raised from the dead. You shall be saved.

Do this and you will be made a spiritual being by a spirit created in you by God. And having this spirit makes you His child and heir to His kingdom. Do this and you will have eternal life now. Do this and you will have immortality at the resurrection. Do this… and I will see you there or in the air!