The Three Rs

I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.

John 3:3

Even though September is back-to-school time for most students, I am not referring to the well-known three Rs associated with education: reading, writing, and arithmetic. I am thinking about a different set of three Rs: Reborn and Reconstructed because of the Resurrection!

Once we are reborn spiritually through Christ, we spend the rest of our lives on this earth being reconstructed to look more like Him. It’s only because of His resurrection that we are able to be reborn and receive resurrected bodies when our earthly ones die.

The actual resurrection of Jesus from the grave is the most important fact in history. At first, even Jesus’ disciples, His closest friends, didn’t believe what had happened. But when they were convinced that He was alive again, they began to experience His spiritual reconstruction that molded their character and strengthened their faith. They became rock-solid followers of Jesus who shared with individuals and crowds the good news of salvation and eternal life. Thousands believed and died to defend that belief. Because of the three Rs, we have

• Assurance of eternal life. Disease and death can’t take it away from us.
• Hope. What we are experiencing now isn’t all there is to life. There is so much more to look forward to in our eternal home in heaven with the Lord.
• Protection and provision. God protects and meets the needs of His children.
• Abundant life. No matter what difficulties we are dealing with, God provides joy and peace smack-dab in the middle of them all!
• Companionship. We are His and He is ours!

These promises are ours, given to us by the world’s greatest Teacher, who still lives—Jesus.

Remember the three Rs. We are being Reborn and Reconstructed, and we will one day be Resurrected!