Taking on His Nature

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5

born of gennaō – metaphorically, of God conferring upon men the nature and disposition of his sons, imparting to them spiritual life, i. e. by his own holy power prompting and persuading souls to put faith in Christ and live a new life consecrated to himself; 

We are born through general creation, which we have no choice in. We do not pick the day and time we are born. We do not pick the location of our birth. We do not get to pick who we are born to or the circumstances surrounding our birth. We take on the nature of our earthly parents when we are born.

But when we choose to be born of the Spirit, God prompts us and persuades us, but has given us free will to choose to allow His Spirit to indwell our spirit. We have to choose to take on His nature. We choose to become His children. That is what is required of us to enter the Kingdom of God.

I was saved and baptized when I was eight years old. I knew what I was committing to, my faith was in Jesus Christ. I don’t think I really understood His commitment to me. He invited me into His Kingdom. He tried to show me why He is the best option for me. I tested Him out. I sat with Him a while. As much as I was taught to, I learned about His nature. I memorized scriptures, not always understanding what they meant. I know I was a child of God, but I did not really understand the relationship I could have with Him.

When I became a teenager, I tested His commitment. I tested His character. He never stopped pursuing me. No one had taught me about really taking on His nature and disposition as a Child of God. I ran away from God, more than once. I didn’t understand that His commitment to me was a permanent one. I might disown Him, but He would not disown me. When He made the commitment at the Cross, it was an eternal commitment. When I chose Him, and was baptized in His Spirit, He ensured my entrance into Heaven. He conferred upon me Christ’s righteousness, He gave me the disposition as His child, as He imparted to me eternal life with Him.

I look back and I am just in awe of who God is. I chose His Spirit. He stayed with me and continues to help me live according to His Word. He continues to guide me by His Spirit. It has been over thirty-six years since I became a Christian. Daily I still learn new facets of who He is, and who I am in Him. The more I consecrate myself to Him, the more of His nature I take on. I continue to grow in Him, but it all started with being born of water and the Spirit.