March 6

Morning

Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ — John 3:7 BSB

Being “born again” lies at the very heart of salvation, and we should make sure that we truly have experienced it. Many people think they’ve been born again when they really haven’t. Understand that simply being called a Christian doesn’t make you a Christian. Being born in a Christian country or growing up in a Christian family means nothing unless you have been “born again” by the Holy Spirit.

This new birth is a mystery that human words can’t fully explain. Jesus said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you can’t tell where it comes from or where it’s going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Yet, this change can be known and felt. You’ll know it by the works of holiness in your life, and you’ll feel it through the transforming experience of God’s grace.

This work of regeneration is supernatural. It’s not something you can do for yourself. A new principle is placed within you by God, which renews your soul and transforms your entire being. It’s not just a change of name but a change of nature. You’re no longer the person you used to be—you’re a new creation in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is one thing; to bring it to life is entirely another! A man can do the first; only God can do the second.

If you’ve been born again, your confession will be, “O everlasting Father, You are the source of my spiritual life. Without Your Spirit breathing new, holy life into me, I would still be dead in my sins. My new life is entirely from You, and to You I give all the credit. My life is now hidden with Christ in God. It’s no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” May the Lord help us to be sure of this essential truth because to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unforgiven, without God, and without hope!

Evening

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. — Prov 18:12 BSB

There’s an old saying that “coming events cast their shadows before them,” and the wise man tells us that a proud heart is a sure sign that destruction is coming. Pride is as much a warning of destruction as a drop in the barometer is a sign of rain—and much more certain. Whenever someone rides high on pride, destruction is sure to follow. David’s troubled conscience is proof that glory fades when a man becomes proud of his own greatness. After David counted his troops, his conscience struck him, and he cried out to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away Your servant’s guilt!” (2 Samuel 24:10).

Look at Nebuchadnezzar, the great builder of Babylon. He became like an animal, eating grass like an ox, with nails like bird claws and hair like eagle feathers (Daniel 4:33). Pride brought down this boastful king, just as it once brought down a mighty angel, turning him into a devil. God hates pride and always brings it low. Every arrow in God’s quiver is aimed at the proud heart.

Christian, is there pride in your heart tonight? Pride can creep into the believer’s heart just as easily as into the sinner’s. It can deceive you into thinking you’re “rich, and have need of nothing.” Are you boasting in your spiritual gifts or graces? Are you proud of your holy moments or spiritual experiences? If so, take heed: destruction is coming. Your fragile flowers of self-conceit will be uprooted. Your shallow graces will wither in the heat of God’s discipline. Your self-sufficiency will be cast aside as worthless.

If we forget to live humbly at the foot of the cross, God will surely humble us under His rod. Destruction will come—not to your soul, but to your pride, your joy, and your comforts. So, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord!”