Three Musts
John chapter three has three musts. Those who study such things tell us that the average person makes three thousand decisions a day. The majority of these decisions are admittedly inconsequential. But in our text of John chapter three, we are presented with three decisions that are eternally essential. They’re not maybes. They’re musts.…
The Must of the Sinner
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:7
It’s true, folks. You can wear a tie, go to church, and learn how to be a Christian. You can sing in the choir and take Communion. You can go through the motions, but sooner or later, a mouse will run across your path and your real nature will suddenly dominate you unless you’re born again. That’s why Jesus wasn’t talking about reformation. He was talking about regeneration when He said, “You must be born again.”
The Must of the Savior
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14
Seeking the Lord for a remedy, Moses was instructed to make a brass snake on a brass pole and erect it in the center of the camp. Whoever looked upon the brass snake would not die. When Moses told this to the people, some must have said, “What kind of a cure can there be in a brass snake on a brass pole?” But those who simply looked in faith upon the snake were spared (Numbers 21).
The Must of the Servant
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
Like John, we must get out of the way and talk to people about Jesus, focus our attention on Him, and live for the purpose of sharing Him. In other words, we must decrease.