“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
(John 3:6)
Scripture declares with sobering clarity that my nature, from the moment of my birth, is corrupted by sin. Psalm 51:5 says that I was “shapen in iniquity” and conceived in sin, bearing the fallen nature inherited from Adam. John 3:6 reinforces this truth, stating plainly, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” This corruption runs deep, infecting every facet of my being—my thoughts, desires, and will. No human effort, no matter how earnest, can cleanse this stain. My heart, left to itself, is a wellspring of impurity and deceit, incapable of producing righteousness apart from divine intervention.
The Old Testament laws, particularly those in Leviticus concerning physical impurities, illustrate this spiritual reality. The Jews, under these laws, recognized their need for purification, a constant reminder of the chasm between God’s holiness and humanity’s sinfulness. As Thomas Taylor remarked, “The Jews understood these laws as a sign of their need for purification, and they were a constant reminder of the deep separation between God’s holiness and humanity’s sinful nature.”[1]
Sin affects my mind, blinding it to God’s truth. It affects my will, causing it to rebel against His commands. And it affects my heart, creating deceit and perversion. Romans 8:7 reminds me that the carnal mind is enmity against God, unable to submit to His law. Likewise, Matthew 15:19 reveals the outward fruit of this inward corruption: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
Under the Levitical law, those deemed unclean were excluded from the camp and cut off from God’s people until purified. This mirrors my spiritual state before Christ, as Ephesians 2:12 describes, being “without God in the world,” a stranger to His covenant promises. The law’s relentless demand for purification drove the Jews to seek cleansing, knowing that impurity led to death. So too, I must recognize that without cleansing, I face eternal separation from God and will perish in my sin. Yet the ceremonial law was never the ultimate remedy; it pointed to a greater hope—Jesus Christ, the only one who can truly cleanse my soul.
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross washes away the pollution of sin. Through His blood I am cleansed, receiving a new heart and new spirit. The sinful nature is crucified, and I am made alive in Him. The Holy Spirit indwells me, transforming me from within and empowering me to walk in obedience.
Thus my hope rests solely in Christ, my sanctifier. He has bridged the chasm my sin created and welcomed me into God’s presence. My unclean heart is washed, and I stand as a new creation, reconciled to God’s unfathomable love. Where I was once dead in sin, I am now alive in Him, called to walk in the newness of life He provides.
Contemplations:
- My corrupt nature. When I consider John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” I see the undeniable truth of my sinful condition. From birth, my nature is corrupted, shaping my thoughts, desires, and actions in ways that oppose God. I cannot escape this reality, so I must turn to Christ who alone can cleanse me and seek His Spirit to renew my heart daily.
- Separation from God. Sin does more than disrupt my relationships with others; it severs my fellowship with God, making me unfit for His holy presence. This reality drives me to seek His cleansing continually, knowing that only Christ can bridge the gap my sin has created. I long to live in communion with Him, so I must rely on His grace to restore what my sin has broken.
- Christ’s cleansing work. Jesus is the sole remedy for my impure heart. I stand in awe of His grace, which lifts the burden of my guilt. I am grateful for this gift, yet I know I must seek His cleansing continually to walk in His truth.
- The ongoing struggle with sin. Though cleansed by Christ, I still battle my sinful nature. Romans 8:7 reminds me that my carnal mind is hostile to God, and I feel this tension daily. Too often, my old nature seeks to reclaim control, tempting me to stray. Yet Christ, my sanctifier, strengthens me through His Spirit. I am encouraged to rely on His grace, trusting that He will continue to purify me as I walk by faith and seek to honor Him.
Prayer (Supplication):
O holy God, You are the fountain of all purity, and Your righteousness shines brighter than the sun. I come before You, a sinner, born in iniquity, as Your Word declares. My heart, corrupted from birth, has turned from Your truth, chasing desires of this world and rebelling against Your commands. I confess that my thoughts and deeds, as Matthew 15:19 reveals, flow from an impure heart, defiling me and separating me from Your presence. I am guilty of yielding to sin, neglecting Your law, and failing to seek Your glory. Forgive me, Lord, for my waywardness and cleanse me from this deep stain of sin.
I thank You, merciful Father, for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, whose blood washes me clean. Through His sacrifice, I am no longer “without God in the world,” as Ephesians 2:12 once described me, but welcomed into Your family. Your Spirit dwells in me, renewing my heart and empowering me to walk in obedience. I am grateful for Your grace, which does what the law could not, purifying me and drawing me near to You.
Now I plead for Your continued help. Grant me the strength to resist the sinful nature that still lingers within me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may be born anew and live for Your glory. Help me to fight temptation, to guard my heart against evil thoughts, and to align my will with Yours. Purify my mind, that I may see Your truth clearly. Transform my desires, that I may love what You love. And guide my actions, that they may reflect Your holiness.
Let me not grow weary in this battle but rely on Your grace to sustain me. Make me a vessel of Your righteousness that I may grow daily more into the likeness of Christ. And keep me steadfast, that I may never stray from Your presence but abide in Your love forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for John 3:6:
1 Cor. 15:50, John 1:13, John 6:63, Job 14:4, Ezek. 36:27.
[1] Thomas Taylor, Moses and Aaron, Or, The Types and Shadows of Our Savior in the Old Testament Opened and Explained (London: Printed for John Williams .., 1653), 144.
