Page 11 - What Shall I Do - eBook

conversion of the soul, that the streams which issue from it may be pure, and the
deportment may testify that Christ reigns within. All defects of character originate
in the heart. Pride, vanity, evil temper, and covetousness proceed from the carnal
heart unrenewed by the grace of Christ.” OHC 336
The carnal heart and mind cannot obey the spiritual law, it can only obey the
letter of the law. This was Paul’s experience also before his conversion. Are there
others who were as ignorant of righteousness as we were? Let’s think of

Nicodemus. What did Jesus tell him?

Be Born Again
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The
same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a
teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except

God be with him.” John 3:1, 2
“Jesus bent his eyes upon the speaker, as if reading his very soul. In his infinite
wisdom He saw before Him a seeker after truth.” DA 168
“Jesus . . . said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“He was a strict Pharisee, and prided himself on his good works. He was
widely esteemed for his benevolence and his liberality in sustaining the temple

service, and he felt secure of the favor of God. He was startled at the thought of a
kingdom too pure for him to see in his present state. . . . By virtue of his birth as an
Israelite he regarded himself as sure of a place in the kingdom of God. He felt that
he needed no change. Hence his surprise at the Saviour’s words.” DA 171
“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he
enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which
is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and
thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it
goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
“Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus

answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these
things?” John 3:4-10
I also had not known what the new birth was or the necessity of it. In my
natural nature I, just like Nicodemus, had been trying to obey God.

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