You Must Be Born Again - John 3:1-15

Jesus, you are the savior of the world. Only through you can I understand and experience the kingdom. Only through the new birth that only comes from your death and resurrection can I live. In my heart, I confess that I minimize your work by inserting my law-keeping as meritorious – how sinful. Thank you for loving me on the cross as only you could. Please strip me of my pride and make me see only you as my only hope. Amen

But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! - Psalm 80:17

Do we think that the Lord meant to insult this master of the Jews? The Lord knew what he was doing. He wanted the man to be born of the Spirit. No one is born of the Spirit if he is not humble, for humility itself makes us born of the Spirit since “the Lord is near to those who are of a broken heart.” The man was puffed up with his mastery, and it appeared of some importance to him that he was a teacher of the Jews. Jesus pulled down his pride so that he might be born of the Spirit. – Augustine

Salvation means we’re starting over. Improving who we are doesn’t work. We need to be born again. Everyone, the worst and the best, we're all the same.