It was necessary for Nicodemus to come and ask all these questions of Jesus, so that he (and us) could hear the Gospel; being that Jesus Himself must be lifted up on a cross and be crucified in our place, in order for sinners like Nicodemus, like you, and like me, to trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins – to be born again, and to be saved.

Our faith has an object, and that object is Christ Himself. Our faith in Him for the forgiveness of our sins has appeased the Father’s anger towards us, clothing us with His righteousness. When He now looks upon us, He is pleased, and we can enter His presence without fear.

One is now at war with the world. The hunger for more has created a dictator over everyone, accountable to no one. The depths of greed have even clouded judgement to the point of demanding that God rush to one’s side with a click of fingers like a divine butler, to fulfil all wants and desires. Of course, these will fall on deaf ears, as He bows to no decree.

If I write a book, who is doing the writing, me or the pen? I am the one writing the words, using the pen. In the same way, God is is the author of His Word. He used men as His pen, to create the passages. The words are perfect because the people writing them were His instruments, compelled by The Holy Spirit to pen His thoughts exactly. That is why we can rely on it for truth.

So how can we protect ourselves and others from the sin of pride and over-confidence? Well, we humble ourselves to God alone. We ask for His protection. We submit to His will, praying “Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.”. Pride is always at the root of all sin, and it takes a humble heart for God to tear it out. If we trust in ourselves, then sooner or later we will be destroyed.

We nonchalantly cruise through life, recklessly breaking the Universe Creator’s rules. The arresting officer (death) is perpetually pursuing us. And once it inevitability catches up with us, it will haul us before the righteous judgement seat, where we will be held eternally accountable for our actions.

Spiritual revival does not start by building up. It starts by tearing down.

He told me I had blown his mind, and that he had some thinking to do. I said, “Don’t leave it for too long, as you don’t know when you are going to die – and if I am right, where would you go? He said, “To hell”

As Christians, our compass is the Word of God. It is a wise man who constantly checks against the Word for any course alterations needed. If we rely on our hearts, our feelings, or what seems right to us, we can wander way off course into danger, into the jungle of heresy, where danger lurks at every dark turn.