God's Holy Fire: 'Only the Holy Spirit Gives Birth to Spiritual Life'

Friday, August 11, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life."
— John 3:6 NLT

Key Thought

Ten times in five verses in the Bible's first chapter we are told that each living thing produced according to its kind (Genesis 1:11-12; Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:24-25). In today's verse, John reminds us that this principle is still true: Human beings can produce only human life; they can't give birth to true spiritual life. The power to give birth to spiritual life comes only from the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is essential to true conversion (Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-7). When folks were baptized in New Testament times and the Holy Spirit wasn't involved, they were taught more fully about Jesus and were baptized again with a recognition of the Spirit's involvement (Acts 19:1-7). When there was a question of whether to include Gentiles into the family of God, the work of the Holy Spirit in their conversion was crucial to their acceptance (Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:15-17; Acts 15:8-9). For us to be reborn into God's family, for us to be true followers of Jesus, and for us to be cleansed and made holy, the Holy Spirit must be involved. Only "the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life"!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, I know that I cannot give birth to my own spiritual life. So I thank you for giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit who cleansed me, gave me a new birth into your family, and lives inside me making me your holy temple. Please accept my life as a living sacrifice as I live to bring you glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of John 3:6 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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