There are several Youtube videos, showing people confronting Christians who dare to preach another gospel other than “woke.” Signs that ask for “repentance” are torn from the hands of believers, while woke mobs scream, threaten, slap, hit, and even spit. And typically, even in the midst of all this, the attackers shouted, “If your God really loves, He would love me as I am!” Upon receiving this word, the Christian believer stumbles into giving a reasonable response. Why does this happen? Should the believer even be at a demonstration?
When people search for Biblical verses to connect with God, the most popular verse found is John 3:16. It’s used as a summary of the gospel message. It tells us that God loves the world so much that He gave us His son and all we have to do is believe. It’s a cherished text, giving the ultimate hope solution for messed up people. Woke crowds repeat it often.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whomsoever believes in Him shall not perish, but will have everlasting life.” John 3:16
But when we take this verse out from the context from which it was told, we miss the entire point. If we were to take a moment, we would see this verse is sandwiched between a man trying to find out who Yeshua truly is and a mysterious explanation of being spiritually born again. Interestingly enough, there is an even greater twist when Yeshua refers to His answer to a snake-biting incident in Torah.
From the beginning of John 3, we see Yeshua constantly referring to this great teacher called Nicodemus to the concept of spirit. He states, “. . . unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
This response is definitely a hard statement for Nicodemus in that he answers, “How can these things be?” We have to remember that Nicodemus is a righteous man who follows laws that would seemingly make him a great candidate for the Kingdom of God. So, talking about something as abstract as “spirit” would be a novel idea for him.
Yeshua correlates spirit to the wind or something to listen for. Have you ever held still to hear the wind? Better yet, have you ever held still to listen to the life force of YHVH—the breath that created you? What’s so distinctive about Nicodemus, is that he is willing to find out what this is all about. He approaches Yeshua to ask for understanding. He is seemingly a seeker of truth. Hence, this is our first understanding of people who choose to yell and scream while they choose a life that is contrary to Scripture. Unless they are quiet enough to consider the spirit of Yah, they will never hear.
As Nicodemus seeks more insight, Yeshua directs him to the Torah (something he should know, v. 10) and reminds him of Israel’s incident of being bitten by snakes in the wilderness (v.14). We find this story in Number 21:5-9, where Yeshua makes another point–the need for repentance.
Israel once again grumbles and complains, so snakes are sent to bite their feet. The picture of this alone is noteworthy. For if our feet are being bit by “sin” how can you even walk forward? Fear alone would stop us dead in our tracks. When this happens, Israel admits their sin and asks for intercession. Yah hears and supplies a solution that requires Israel to gaze upon a “sin replacement.” Sound familiar?
Yeshua takes on sin and death. The original serpent, satan, found in the Garden of Eden tempted man with lies. That same serpent will be conquered through the action of Yeshua’s spiritual battle—that of coming from Heaven to Earth to replace certain death with life. In John 3, Yeshua tries to explain this spiritual battle with Nicodemus, by implying that we too must look beyond ourselves to be born again. We must take our eyes off the physical snake (sin and the lies of sin) biting our feet and look up to the spiritual battle being won by the Messiah.
So here is lesson two. When evangelizing to a woke and sinful crowd, we must recognize that unless there is repentance, there is no spiritual eyesight. Consequently, any word given by us will fall on deaf ears, unless Yah intercedes. Our job is to point to the sin replacement.
You would think that there is no more to the story at this point. But yet, Yeshua goes further and talks about judgment. He explains the Son of God is light. He doesn’t judge but brings salvation to those who believe. Those who do not believe (or look up) are judged already–just like those being bit in the wilderness. As we read further, Yeshua says:
“For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But, he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought (shaped) by YHVH.” John 3:20-21
Wow, this moves us to the final concept of being born again. If someone hates light and loves darkness, they will not come to know Him. But those who “practice” being in the light will come to know Him. So, if the woke mob practices evil, can they be saved?
Practice refers to preparation or training. Evidently from the words of Yeshua, it’s something we are called to do to be born again. Have you ever asked what this practice might look like? Is it the practice of not only being in the Word but listening for the Word? (Jn. 1:1-3) If I were to listen to the wind of the word, I’m thinking wisdom would be given to know when we should speak or when we should be quiet when sharing the gospel. This takes practice. Likewise, someone who is in sin must practice the light of truth.
When we decide to share the gospel or receive the gospel, I am thinking that it is essential that we put our spirit man right with YHVH. Yeshua’s message to Nicodemus is rather clear. Repent from our deeds, seek intently, and train to be in the light. When we do these things, our spirit will be brought forward.
Being in the spirit is either contagious or reviled. In that, an evil spirit rejects the words of life. Therefore, do not be surprised if you are rejected. Our fleshly response towards those who despise us can be surrounded by feelings of rejection or anger. Consequently, we must be born “in the spirit” for us to truly understand ourselves and others. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces.”
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn