CULTURED BUT NOT CONVERTED

CULTURED BUT NOT CONVERTED!

John 3:1-5

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 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.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 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?

5 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.

           The condition of Nicodemus is a sad one indeed. He was not one of the more sinful sinners but was a cultured and educated man. Educated in the best schools, he was knowledgeable in the arts as well as skilled in social graces. His name, Nicodemus, is a combination of the verb Nikao which means “to win” and the word demos or “people.” He was a winner with the people but he was not converted. He was not born again.

           Nicodemus was not disrespectful when addressing Jesus. We live in a world where disrespect is the universal attitude of man. Nicodemus addressed Jesus respectfully, noted his miraculous accomplishments, and was about to pose a few questions for clarification when Jesus challenged him with a simple fact. “Except a man is born again he can’t see the kingdom of God.”

           Try to imagine what Nicodemus was thinking. He had the best education, shopped the best clothier, lived in the best neighborhood, was active in his church and his community. He was a winner with the people but he was a loser with God. In spite of his education he was not equipped to discuss the new birth with its designer. He was ignorant of the most important things.

1 Cor 2:14

14 But the natural [unsaved or unconverted] man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [understood].

Although Jesus explained spiritual reality to Nicodemus that night, it is only after Jesus' death that we see proof that he actually did become His disciple (John 19:39). Nicodemus clearly points out that the wisdom of men falls painfully short of the kingdom of God. Only by total reliance upon the work of Christ can we hope to attain it. We likewise must be "born again" (John 3:3). (from New Testament Sermon Starters © 2001, Spiros Zodhiates.)

Dear Lord, let me not trust in the wisdom of this world. Let me not become blinded by the acclaim of men. Let me see with spiritual eyes and hear with the heart. AMEN