I was sitting on my patio, in the country, looking at a hilltop to my south with some foliage having Fall leaf color. We did not get enough rain to really transform Fall colors this year. So mostly yellows and rusts and leaves falling from trees. It is 80 degrees and thoughts turn to family. My immediate family are all gone. Some went to heaven and some went to hell. But thoughts of family resonated this morning. One of the hardest commandments is Matthew 22:39 (KJV) And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Have you taken time to think of family?

 

Let all of us step outside the thoughts of earthly families just for a moment. Jesus said, Matthew 12:48 (KJV) But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? Ponder that thought. Whether you like or dislike me, even though most of you really do not know the real me outside of the church, you my brothers and sisters are stuck with me for an eternity. No way to get out of our "new" family after being born again. When we get to heaven I will get to know each one of you better. If you have little to no family you can expect I love each of you as my family. You may have your unique idiosyncrasies but so do I. Before I was called to be a university professor or the ministry I really did not like people much. Being in law enforcement I saw and heard all sides and identities. I matured concerning my dislikes.

 

At university, I learned much about individuality. I also did not trust most Christians at the churches I attended, most were living dual lives. I could discern it. Some would be fighting like hell in the car on the way to church and after getting there a halo appeared, "how are you brother Paul?" Barf! Are you aware of what the Lord says about family? 1 John 3:16 (KJV) Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

 

Saul of Tarsus (Apostle Paul) encountered his new family also. After a period of hating Christians imprisoning and killing them. He said, Philippians 3:4-6 (KJV) 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. This brought to light John 3 and Nicodemus. Jesus was trying to open his spiritual eyes. So who were the Pharisees? Strong's concordance: Strong's #5330 — Noun Masculine — pharisaios — far-is-ah'-yos ) from an Aramaic word peras (found in Daniel 5:28 ), signifying "to separate," owing to a different manner of life from that of the general public.

 

The "Pharisees" and Sadducees appear as distinct parties in the latter half of the 2nd cent. B.C., though they represent tendencies traceable much earlier in Jewish history, tendencies which became pronounced after the return from Babylon (537 B.C.). The immediate progenitors of the two parties were, respectively, the Hasideans and the Hellenizers; the latter, the antecedents of the Sadducees, aimed at removing Judaism from its narrowness and sharing in the advantages of Greek life and culture. Therefore Jesus was dealing with a learned man, John 3:10 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? We reflect on John 2 and see Jesus cleansing temple and revealing, "John 2:24-25 (KJV) 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men], 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."

 

So here we are in Chapter 3 and we identify a man, it is Nicodemus. Nicodemus was being re instructed about the separate entities of earthly man and spiritual man. John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Nicodemus was thinking earthly or of the flesh. Because he asked about entering again into his mothers womb. Romans 8:7 (KJV) Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So Jesus makes a clear identity of what is required. John 3:5 (KJV) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The spiritual aspect is something Nicodemus cannot do for himself it is a free gift to be experienced. Jesus reveals the Fathers love, John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

It was that aspect in the life of Nicodemus that he needed to realize. John 3:12 (KJV) If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things? Nicodemus was having a problem with believing Jesus was who he said he was. Nicodemus failure was unbelief. The Lord desired to save Nicodemus but will not force himself on anyone, not even a Master of Israel. Psalms 34:18 (KJV)The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

 

I personally believe Nicodemus finally got saved, John 19:39 (KJV) And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound [weight]. So my family are you leading a dual life like Nicodemus or have you accepted the free gift by believing In Jesus Christ efficacious blood alone for your salvation. I want all of you in heaven. In this season of life changing events take time to examine yourself. as each of us approach the Fall of our life or Golden years look at Psalms 26:2 (KJV) Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. I remain your faithful and humble servant. In love brothers and sisters, Paul formerly Saul. May God bless you.