The Most Famous Conversation in the BIble

Jesus has a very revealing talk with Nicodemus in John chapter three. For me, one of the most amazing elements about it is that its the same conversation He eventually has with everyone who considers becoming a believer.

We ask a question, such as "how can I be saved?". Or we simply approach Him wanting to know who He really is. And as he always does, he opens the doors of life. And, thankfully, it is an arrestingly simple doorway.

Believe and receive. Period.

As with Nicodemus, God (Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) is willing to detail the why's and what for's of our conversation. But the boiled down message is truly simple.

There is nothing you can do to add to the offer. Your best efforts will always fall short of making it any more amazing than it already is. There is no physical event you can add on to the spiritual gift that will cause His acceptance of you to be any more complete. While Grace is not opposed to effort, it is equally not in need of it either.

God is able and willing to complete his rescue of you on His own terms.

Believe and receive.

But do me one favor. Believe with an eye toward the future. The days to come will not be about what you can do, but what God can do IN you and THROUGH you in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is an old saying that says God loves you just the way you are. That's good as far as it goes but I have found it to be incomplete.

It's true that God loves you just the way you are. But He loves you too much to leave you that way.

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philipians 1:3-6 (NIV)