A Living Hope

When Nicodemus came with questions in the night, Jesus said to him, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Jn. 3:3b NIV)

Nicodemus did not understand the idea of being born again. And he did not understand that spiritual life is a gift.

But in the Old Testament, God had revealed this truth through the prophet Ezekiel. God said He would remove sin and place a fresh, clean heart and spirit in people who turn to Him. (Ezekiel 36)

Receiving a new heart is equivalent to being born again. But Nicodemus either had not learned or did not understand Ezekiel’s prophecy. He did not know that God gives new hearts—and that they cannot be earned. New hearts come by grace through faith.

Peter called the transformation that occurs when a person receives a new heart a new birth into a living hope. (I Pet. 1:3a) When we receive Jesus, He brings His life. We are born again. We experience a new birth. And we walk in a living hope because He lives within us.

Originally published July 29, 1983.

The Day of the Lord

Old Testament prophets provided many prophecies about end times, and the disciples could turn to them as a reference. Some referred to the end as the Day of the Lord.

Then and now, the end of the world means different things to different people. Some think of it as a time of hope, others think of it as a time of fear.

The Gospel of Luke records some of Jesus’ words concerning the last days. Jesus let the disciples know it would be a difficult time. He described, Men’s hearts failing them for fear . . . for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Lk. 21:26 KJV)

There are several schools of thought within the Christian groups today concerning the world’s final events. There are also areas of agreement. Jesus said, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (v. 33 KJV)

When Paul began his ministry, he wrote about the day of the Lord in his letters. He said to the Corinthians, Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling off an eye, at the last trumpet. (I Cor. 15:51 NIV)

Originally published September 3, 1982.