In John 3, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, converses with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, possibly seeking a discreet conversation due to his position, as he is seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus’s teachings. Jesus responds with profound truths about spiritual rebirth and the eternal life it offers. He teaches in John 3:5-7 (NLT): “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.” This conversation informs us that a spiritual rebirth is necessary to enter God’s Kingdom, and this new beginning is possible because of the work God completed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
By accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are born again. God places His Holy Spirit in us, and we become His children, members of His holy family. Romans 8:29-30 (NLT) teaches us, “29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” Our Creator has made us in His image. When we accept the salvation Jesus offers, we become his brothers and sisters. Like he was when he walked the earth in human form, we are spiritual beings having an earth experience, not the other way around.
This is a truth we must grasp with all that we are. We are spiritual beings. Everything around us seems so real—our jobs, our relationships, our everyday hustle. But honestly, nothing compares and is more real than the spiritual realm of God. “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” This highlights how crucial it is to grasp our spiritual nature.
The things around us—our daily routines, our relationships, our achievements—feel incredibly real and immediate, but they’re actually temporary. Nothing compares to the eternal reality of the spiritual realm, where God lives, and where He lives is our true home.
1Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) tells us, “19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, lives inside us. With the Spirit’s help and guidance, we have the power to change our lives for the better. It’s his power operating within that allows us to say, “I can do all things through Christ”, as the Apostle Paul declared in Philippians 4:13. However, many of us focus more on external appearances and concerns rather than nurturing our relationship with God through the Spirit’s guidance. This leads us to miscalculate what truly matters in life.
Peter 3:3-5 (NLT) encourages us: “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.” True beauty and worth come from within, reflecting our identity with Christ and our faith in God. Rather than focusing on outward appearances, we must renew our minds to God’s Word and demonstrate our appreciation for the light of Christ that He has placed within us.
In our individual spiritual journeys, we hold the power to either hinder or enhance our own growth and blessings. And this is based on our commitment to do as Galatians 5:25 (NLT) says: “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” When we place our trust in God, much like the victorious men and women of faith throughout Biblical history, we align ourselves with His divine purpose and guidance. This trust is not just about believing in God’s promises but actively living in a way that reflects our faith and reliance on Him. By committing fully to this trust, we invite God’s blessings and favor into our lives.
This deep-seated trust transforms us into a beacon of light that attracts God’s blessings and guidance. The more we embrace our faith, the more we reflect the light of Christ within us, which inspires and encourages others. Our inner beauty is the most beautiful because it comes from our trust in God. It’s nurtured by our alignment with His Will and Word, and it is a sweet-smelling savor before His throne. We can be confident that the desires of our hearts are drawn to us like a magnet when our commitment is to continually increase our faith in God so that our lives become a powerful testament to His grace and goodness. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“When We Put Our Trust in God”, written for Walk in the Light Outreach ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
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