Winning The Sincere

  WINNING THE SINCERE

BY: RICK VANNOY

WINNING THOSE WHO ARE RELIGIOUS TO CHRIST                                              

JOHN 3: NICODEMUS ENCOUNTERS THE SAVIOUR               

Religious people are often much more difficult to reach with the Gospel than those with little or no religious background.  In the mind of the religious man, he already knows the answers to life’s questions.  It is very difficult for him to admit that he is lost.  Have you ever tried to witness to someone who is very sincere in what he believes, and yet he is sincerely wrong?  It will be evident in our lesson that this was exactly the case in the life of Nicodemus.  In Proverbs 14:12, we are told, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  It has been said that all steeples point up, and all religions point to God.  It is impossible for this to be true and the Bible to be true as well.  Jesus plainly declares in John 14:6, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Is it possible to effectively reach people who are religious and at the same time lacking a personal relationship with the Savior?  Yes it is!  Jesus did, and with His help, we can do the same.  In the first lesson, That Others May Know, we addressed the need for soul winning.  In the second lesson, you learned that just like the woman at the well, anyone who has truly been born again can win souls.  In this lesson you will learn how to win that person who has religion, and yet does not have a relationship with Christ.  Everyone who leaves this world without Christ in their heart will be hopelessly lost in hell forever and ever.  May the Spirit of God help us not to forget those who are depending on their religion to get them to heaven, as we witness to our family and friends.

We live in a world that is steeped in religion. Being a missionary with Rock of Ages Prison Ministry, I find this to be true within the prison system as well.  Is it any wonder that 85% of the incarcerated return to prison after their release?  Could it be that, if a person left the institution with a genuine relationship with the Lord, this statistic would be much lower?  I believe it would.  Statistics will attest to this fact.  It is possible to be outwardly very religious, yet know that inwardly something is desperately missing.  This was my experience before my new birth on February 22, 1987. 

As a child, I was exposed to the truths of God’s Word.  For many years I was taken to Sunday School on a bus.  Truths concerning the crucifixion of the Lord and His glorious resurrection were not difficult for me to grasp; in my mind I believed the things I was being taught.  However, when I became a teenager, peer pressure crept in and I was too embarrassed to be identified with God’s people.  I remember well the group of young people that would gather around the flag pole and pray before the start of each school day at Edgewood Senior High.  I wish now that I had been among them throughout my teen years instead of being involved in so many things that our Bible declares to be sin.

In September of 1979, I married my high school sweetheart.  Regretfully, all was not well in our home.  My attitude was, “If our marriage works, that’s okay.  If it doesn’t, I’ll just look for another woman.”   There was misery and emptiness in my soul.  I kept telling myself that I did not have a drinking problem.  However, there was an incident where I stole from my wife because I was out of drink and out of money.  There was definitely a problem. 

Sixteen months into our marriage, we were blessed with a healthy and beautiful baby girl.  One day as I was holding her, I looked down into those little eyes and thought, “I cannot keep living like this.”  Now I could see a responsibility that had never before dawned on me. 

Not long after she was born, I attended a gospel singing service at a nearby church.  At the end of the service, an altar call was given.  The Lord was dealing in my heart, so I went forward.  A man in the church knelt beside me and asked, “Are you saved, son?”  I responded, “Yes, but there is sin in my life.”  Another man told me about I John 1:9 and how we can confess our sin and the Lord will forgive us. 

In my heart I wanted to do better.  I thought I was saved because all my life I had believed the facts concerning Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection.  On the way back to my seat, I turned to the preacher and said, “I need to be baptized.”  This was the onset of a religious journey that would span six and a half years.

My brother was saved a few months later and invited me to his church.  My wife and I really liked it there.  We joined the church, and soon I was teaching a junior boys’ Sunday school class.  Every religious duty that I was involved in satisfied for a little while, but then there was that same terrible void in my heart.  After about three years, the emptiness seemed to intensify.  So I decided that the Lord must want me to preach.  I was not trying to deceive anyone.  It just seemed that some way, somehow, through all this religious activity, I could experience some peace and assurance of being accepted with God.

In church we often sang the old hymn Amazing Grace.  Without fail this song was like a dagger in my heart, especially the line, I once was lost, but now I’m found.  Over and over the thought would run through my mind, “When was I lost?”  Friend, Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.  I had tried for over twenty years to fill the void in my heart with the things of this world, then for over six years with the things of religion.  But I never once admitted that I was lost.  I heard a country preacher in a tent meeting preach on this subject, “Religious Wrecks on the Highway to Hell.”   It fit my life to a tee, and I’m afraid the lives of many others as well.

Thank God for the day the Holy Spirit convicted me.  In spite of all my efforts, I was a poor lost sinner headed for hell.  Not only did the dear Lord convict me, but He also convinced me that what I needed was not religion but a relationship with the Son of God.  God gave me grace to swallow my pride.  My pastor met me at the altar and I will forever remember his words, “Rick, I’m glad you came.  There’s nothing worth dying and going to hell over.” 

That night by simple faith, I admitted for the first time in my life that I was a sinner.  I turned from my sin to the Lord, and He gloriously saved me.  On my way home, the song that had brought such conviction was now ringing from my heart to the Lord. 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I’m found

Was blind, but now I see.

Many things have changed since the days of Jesus and Nicodemus, but there is one thing that remains the same, the need for the new birth.   There are people all around the globe who are trying their best instead of trusting God’s best, the Lord Jesus. 

The subject matter for this lesson comes from John 3—the encounter between Nicodemus and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Nicodemus was a ruler in a very religious sect of the Jews called the Pharisees.  It is my earnest prayer that the truths shared in this lesson will be helpful in winning those men and women who, like Nicodemus and I, were at one time very religious, yet lost.  We will address five areas as we study this encounter:

1. The drawing of the religious man  John 3:1-2
2. The discussion with the religious man  John 3:3-12
3. The declaration to the religious man  John 3:13-17
4. The deliverance of the religious man John 7:43-53 and 19:38-42
5. The damnation of religious men  John 3:18-21

I.  The Drawing of the Religious Man

John 3:1-2 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

At first glance, these first two verses of John 3 might not seem very significant, but something very important is taking place.  These verses help us to see that Nicodemus is being drawn to the Savior.  What was it that caused Nicodemus to be drawn to Jesus?  According to John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” We must never forget that a genuine salvation experience is always initiated by a supernatural working of the Holy Spirit in a man’s life. 

In verse one, we find that Nicodemus had a very prominent position.  He was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews.  Though he was indeed a religious man, he was coming at night to find out more about Jesus. In verse two, Nicodemus acknowledged three things that give us some insight as to why he was drawn to Jesus.  First, he acknowledged that Jesus was a teacher from God.  Secondly, he acknowledged that the Lord had performed miracles.  Finally, he acknowledged that these things could not be unless God was with Jesus.  Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus, knowing much about religion and nothing about regeneration.  Pharisees were required to know the Scriptures, but they did not know the Savior.

In John 5:39 Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they that testify of me.”  Let us contrast this passage with I John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, . . .” Eternal life is not to be found in the performance of religious duties, but rather in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Every individual has access to the Savior through the new birth, regardless of his past.  It was once stated, “Let your past be a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to weigh you down.”

Let’s look back at verse two.  Nicodemus said, “We know that thou art a teacher come from God.” We may conclude from this statement that a key factor in drawing Nicodemus was what he heard.  It cannot be over-emphasized that we must give careful consideration to what we say if we are to win people to Christ, especially those that are religious.  We are instructed in the Bible to speak the truth in love.  Our speech should be controlled by the Lord so as to draw men to Jesus, not to drive them away.  No doubt, what Nicodemus heard from the Savior played an important role in his salvation.

Not only was Nicodemus drawn to Jesus because of what he heard, but also because of what he saw.  “No man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”  Not only is it important that we pay careful attention to what the religious man hears from our lips, but also to what he sees in our lives.  We must walk with the Lord and be a reflection of His love and grace.  When the religious man examines our life, he should become keenly aware that something—or rather someone—is missing in his own life.  A song writer once said, I want my life to be all God wants it to be,I want the people to see Jesus in me.

May the Lord help us that this will ring true in our lives.  If it does, surely someone will be drawn to the Savior just like Nicodemus.  The Holy Spirit definitely uses our lives, our lips, and our literature to draw others to Jesus, but we should never limit His power to these alone.     

II. The Discussion with the Religious Man

John 3:3-5, 9, 10 & 12  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5.  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.

9.  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

12. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”

We have addressed in this first section the drawing of the religious man.  We will now move to the discussion with the religious man.  Discussing spiritual matters with another may not be easy, especially when the person you would like to help already has his mind made up about so many things.

In our world some say, “There are two things you should never discuss: Politics and Religion.”  Apparently they have not read John 3.  Phrases like “Jesus saith unto him,” “Nicodemus saith unto Him,” or “Jesus answered him,” are used several times in our text.  Clearly it is acceptable to discuss the subject of religion.  With the help of the Lord’s example here in Scripture, let us determine our need to address this important matter as well.

Notice that Jesus did not avoid the subject of religion, but met Nicodemus face to face with the truth.  We often have a tendency to avoid people who are settled in their religion because it is often more difficult to witness to them. The soul winner must not be intimidated by the religious person, but rather be ready to answer respectfully from the Scriptures.  It is crucial that we know scripturally where we stand and why we stand there.  It will always be difficult for anyone to ignore the subject of religion, especially when it stems from a life that reflects the love, joy, and peace that only Jesus can give.

A couple of things are noteworthy here.  First, notice that Jesus was not pushy.  He simply shared the truth without entering into a heated debate with Nicodemus.  Also notice that the discussion was back and forth and not one-sided.  This helped Jesus to have the ear of Nicodemus.  Both the soul winner and the sinner must be willing to listen, if there is to be a positive outcome.   If we are not very careful, we will want so badly to win the argument that we will forfeit the opportunity to win the soul to Christ.  Take a look at this Biblical instruction:

II Timothy 2:24-26 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

In the discussion process, it is sometimes good to use questions when trying to help an individual to see their need for Christ.  Jesus asked Nicodemus two questions in verses 10 and 12.  “Art thou a master in Israel and knowest not these things?”  This question caused Nicodemus to realize that something was definitely lacking, even though he had extensive religious training. 

Jesus then asked in verse 12, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?”  Spiritual truths are not always absorbed at the moment they are given, but questions like these many times help to break up the soil of the heart.  (In Hosea 10:12 it is called fallow ground.)  In time, this good seed may take root and lead the person to salvation. 

When I’m witnessing, I often use this question, “If you were to die today, do you know for sure you would go to heaven?”  The person who can honestly answer “yes” to this question is the one who is depending entirely on the finished work of Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of his sin.  He is not relying on his own efforts.   He understands the concept of the brazen serpent in John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  Just as the people of Moses’ day were required to look to the brazen serpent when they were bitten by the serpents in the wilderness, we are required to look to Jesus because we are bitten by sin.  Look and live!  This is the message even today.   

III. The Declaration to the Religious Man

John 3:3-17  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5.  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.

6.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9.  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

 10.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

 11.  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12.  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13.  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15.  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16.  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.

17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Having examined the drawing and the discussion with the religious man, let us now move on to our Lord’s declaration to the religious man.  Notice that the declaration Jesus makes to Nicodemus is a declaration of truth.  “Ye must be born again.”  There is no substitute for truth when dealing with one who needs to be born again. Jesus declares plainly to Nicodemus that he must be born again if he is to see or enter into the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus did not understand the Savior’s statements at all.  You and I must realize that most people who are wrapped up in religion lack a great deal in understanding the spiritual truths of God’s Word.

In John 17:17 Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  The Word of God will show us the truth about our flesh.  Notice the first part of verse 6 in John 3, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” 

We have all sinned, according to Romans 3:10 and 23:  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

According to Isaiah 53:6, we have all gone astray.  “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” 

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing. . .”  The soul winner must emphasize that through our first birth the flesh is corrupt. Romans 5:12 teaches us that by one man, Adam, sin entered into the world. 

When I am presenting the Gospel, I like to stop and ask a couple of questions to help clarify this point.  I might ask, “Did anyone have to teach you to tell a lie?  Did your mom or dad teach you to be mean or selfish?”  Just a couple of questions along these lines will help the lost person understand that we are all sinners because of Adam’s sin, and sin has been passed on from generation to generation. 

Psalms 51:5 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Once a person has acknowledged the truth about his flesh, it is time to teach him the truth concerning his future.  Because of sin, a man must die. “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23a. 

There are two kinds of death taught in the Bible—physical death and spiritual death.  In Revelation 20:6, 14, and 15, we see the second death.  “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years . . . And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

When a person dies without the second birth, he will experience the second death.  No wonder Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:7, “Ye must be born again.”  In John 3:16 we read, “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.”  Jesus is warning the sinner of the coming judgment should he refuse the remedy for sin.  These two verses reinforce this point very well:

John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Many times it is difficult to get a religious man this far along in the Gospel presentation.  We must be patient; it may take some time for these truths to sink in.  When a person agrees with the Bible concerning his flesh and his future, we then must teach him concerning the faith.  True faith comes into a person’s life by taking God at His Word.  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Romans 10:17

In John 3:15-17, the Lord teaches Nicodemus that the key to eternal life is to believe in Him.  “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Does it really make a difference what a person believes?  According to the Scripture, it makes the difference between heaven and hell.  Paul told the Philippian jailer to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  A person must understand what it means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if he is to be born again.

According to I Corinthians 15:3-4, Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day.  This is the Gospel!  Anyone who desires to have his sins forgiven and have a home in heaven must trust Jesus as his own personal Savior.  This is the faith that makes a difference in the heart and life. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17 

When a person turns from his sin and turns to the Savior in childlike faith, repentance takes place. A sinner must depend on Jesus alone for salvation if he is to be born again.  The sweet Holy Spirit first convicts us of our sin, and then convinces us of our need for Jesus.  Finally, when a man is willing to give up his own way and turn to the Lord’s way, he will know the joy of a relationship with the Son of God through the new birth. 

In summary, the lost man should be taught four very important truths in our declaration of the Gospel to him: 

1. He should know that all have sinned. (Make this personal if you can.)
2. He should be keenly aware that we all owe a penalty for our sin. 
3. He must be convinced that Jesus went to Calvary and paid the penalty for our sins on the cross and three days later arose.  (Perhaps it would be helpful to take some time here to expound upon the scourging and crucifixion that our dear Lord suffered in our place.)
4. He must be willing, by faith, to turn from his sin and turn to the Lord, receiving from him the gift of God which is eternal life.  (To help illustrate this point, hold up something, maybe a gospel tract, which you would like to give to the sinner.  Convince him that you want him to have it.  Ask him, “Is it yours?”  Most of the time he will say, “Yes.”  Emphasize the fact that no matter how badly you want him to have it and no matter how badly he wants it, it is not his until he is willing to receive it, and it goes from your hand to his.)

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”  John 1:11-12

One must believe the Biblical account of our dear Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection.    The truth given in John 3 is timeless.  From generation to generation it remains the same.  Someone asked an old preacher, “How come you’re always preaching, ‘Ye must be born again?’ His response was, “Because ye must be born again!”  May the God of heaven give us concern and compassion in our declaration to all men, including the religious.  May we have great boldness in the faith and the courage to declare the truth. 

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:7 

What a declaration this is!  What a Savior we serve!

IV. The Deliverance of the Religious Man

In this section, we will be examining the deliverance of Nicodemus. Was the drawing of Nicodemus, along with the discussion and declaration to be of no avail?  Would the Devil win in the life of this religious man, or would Nicodemus be loosed from his life of religion and bondage?  Could he somehow experience a life of relationship and freedom in the Lord Jesus?  There are a couple of passages in the Bible that indicate to us that the truth the Lord shared with Nicodemus in John 3 did take root in his life. First, note this passage from John 7.

John 7:43 “So there was a division among the people because of him.

44.  And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

45.  Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

46.  The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

47.  Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48.  Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49.  But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

50.  Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

51.  Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

  52.  They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

53. And every man went unto his own house.”

The Scriptures that are highlighted seem to indicate that Nicodemus, in some degree, is standing up for the Lord.  Some will say that his response would be the same even if it were a common criminal that was being examined.  This may or may not be so. One thing we must always remember is that there is nothing that just happens to be in the Bible.  It is no coincidence that Nicodemus is here identified as “he that came to Jesus by night” and certainly the question in verse 51 puts him on the same side of the fence with Jesus in the eyes of the Pharisees. 

When the Pharisees answered him in verse 52, they definitely understood that Nicodemus was in some way identifying himself with the Savior. I believe their response to Nicodemus was intended to degrade and belittle him. Their words were spoken in contempt, for they knew perfectly well that Nicodemus was not from Galilee.  Beware!  When we stand by the Savior to declare or defend him among the religious people of this world, we may at times receive the same treatment.  Should that happen, may the Lord help us to count it all joy!

James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

I John 4:17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

The second passage that indicates the deliverance of the religious man is found in John 19:35-42.

35. “And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

36. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

38. And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that  he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39. 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.

40. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

41. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

42. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.”

Notice in verse 38 that Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple of Jesus, even though up until this time it had been secretly for fear of the Jews.  Joseph and Nicodemus were now openly identifying with the Savior by caring for the body of the Lord Jesus.  It seems that even today many of God’s dear children live in fear of what others may think or say about them if they openly identify themselves with the crucified and risen Son of God.  May the Lord help His saints to overcome these fears and realize that the souls of men, women, boys, and girls are at stake.  The Bible is clear that at this point there were two men who had put their faith in the Lord Jesus and were no longer afraid of what men might do to them.

I John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Hebrews 13:6 “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Some would make light of the fact that in John 19:39, about a hundred pound weight of spices was used. They would say this is going way overboard. In Bible times it was common for this to be done to confer great honor.  Nicodemus wanted everyone to know that his Lord and Master was worthy of this honor.  Jesus had delivered this man from the bondage of sin and religion, and Nicodemus was to spare no expense in letting the whole world know that he deeply appreciated it.  May we also live our lives in a manner that would say both, “Thank you,” to our Lord and “God is good!” to those around us.

True faith in Christ produces freedom as we see in the life of Nicodemus.  By the grace of God, Nicodemus is now in the open declaring his deliverance to everyone who would ever read the book of John.  This grace is not a license to sin, but rather a liberty to serve.  The Bible tells us that the truth will make men free.

John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

So many people, like I once did, exchange the bondage of sin for the bondage of religion.  Nicodemus knew the bondage of sin.  He also knew the bondage of religion.  Now he knows the joy of a relationship with Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us.  No doubt Nicodemus too would sing…

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine, oh what a foretaste of glory divine,

Heir of salvation purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Truly this is my story; this is my song. Is it yours? If so, let us tell others of this wonderful Savior and His glorious salvation.

V. The Damnation of Religious Men

One must be careful when he begins to address the subject of men going to hell and being tormented forever and ever in the flames of judgment.  In so doing, it is appropriate to share some Scriptures and let them speak for themselves. 

John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Matthew 7:21-23  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

John 6:28-29 “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

Titus 3:3-5 “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;. . .”

John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Upon close examination of John 3, we find that if Nicodemus or any other man should disregard the man and the message of the Lord Jesus, he is in grave danger. “Condemned already” in verse 18 and “the wrath of God abideth on him” in verse 36 are sobering statements even to the casual reader.  Oh yes, there is a heaven to gain!  We must never forget there is also a hell to shun!  How sad it would be to go to hell from anywhere, but especially from a church pew or a seat in some other religious organization.

Every religion in the world falls under one of two umbrellas—works or grace.  Those under the umbrella of works proclaim that we must perform religious duties in order to merit God’s favor.  It is a system of do, do, do, and when you meet God, hope that you have done enough. These individuals can never know for sure that they are going to heaven because their entrance into Heaven depends upon their performance, and that could change at any moment.  Friend, any and all work which is performed in an effort to merit salvation is iniquity. There is a world of difference between doing good works in order to be saved, and doing good works because you are saved.

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Matthew 5:16  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The other umbrella is the umbrella of grace.   Those under grace realize it is not do, do, do, but rather done, done, done.  The work is finished at the cross of our blessed Lord!  Our entrance into heaven will be because of trusting Jesus.  Trusting, not trying, is the key that unlocks the secret of the new birth. 

I John 5:11-13 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

I know that I have eternal life because I know that I have Jesus.  This truth is so simple, yet so profound.

Our Lord loves the religious man just as he loves every other sinner in the world.  If we are to reach these precious souls with the gospel, we too must exhibit that same love toward them.  Hopefully, we have learned some practical lessons from the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus.  We must apply these principles in our lives if we are to be used of God in reaching the masses who are steeped in religion, and yet have never been born again.  Let us never forget that religion can never truly satisfy the longing in a man’s heart for genuine love, peace, and joy.  Only Jesus can offer real satisfaction and assurance that one has been accepted into the family of God.

I recently had a good example of this whole lesson at a prison in Missouri.  I walked up to a cell and asked a man if he was a Christian.  His reply was that he was a member of a certain religious organization.  My reply was, “That’s good.”   I then asked this man a question that would reveal to me whether or not he was serious in his religion.  I asked, “If you were to die today do you know for sure you would go to Heaven?”  “Oh, no,” was his reply.

Because I used to date a girl of this same religious affiliation, I knew somewhat of their teachings.   Many believe that because they are sincere in their religion and are faithful to its teachings, they will be all right in God’s eyes. This religion teaches that if your good works outweigh your bad works, you will make it to Heaven.  If your bad works outweigh your good works, you will go to hell, or someplace in between Heaven and hell.  (The Bible makes no mention of such a place.)  Some trust their stewardship; others trust the sacraments, while others trust their baptism.  Those who are truly born again trust only the Savior to take them to heaven.

I then asked the man, “If the Bible says one thing and you or I say another, which one would be right?”  His reply was emphatically, “The Bible.” 

I then assured the man that this was wise and asked his permission to share from the Word of God.  I then turned to Ephesians 2:8-9 and allowed him to read the verses for himself, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:   Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  When he came to the statement, “not of works,” he paused and then read it carefully two more times out loud.  It was evident by the look on his face that this truth was contrary to what he had been taught. He looked up at me, troubled in spirit and said, “Preacher, the Bible says it is not of works.”   

We then looked at another verse in Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;…”  By this time, the precious Holy Spirit was well on His way to convicting this man of the error of his way.  In just a little while he would be convinced of his need of something more than religion, and through faith in the Lord Jesus experience the conversion that the Bible calls being “born again.”

I then asked, “Sir, if we could be good enough to get to heaven, then why did Jesus have to die the cruel death of the cross?”  He said, “I see what you mean.”

At this point I asked him if I could take the time to teach him four things that could help him to know for sure he would go to heaven when he dies.  He quickly agreed.  The four things that I taught to this dear man are truths the whole world needs to hear.  We’re all sinners.  We all owe a sin debt.  Jesus paid the debt for all on the cross of Calvary.  Everyone who will repent and trust Jesus to save them will receive the gift of God, which is eternal life.

I asked, “Do you believe that you have sinned?”  He answered, “Definitely.” 

I then taught him concerning the wages of sin and the second death which the Bible speaks of in Revelation 20:14-15, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Every sinner deserves to die both physically and spiritually.  This religious man agreed that the Bible was right and he was wrong.

I asked, “Sir, do you believe that Jesus died for the sin of the whole world?”   “Yes, I do,” was his reply. 

I then asked, “Since Jesus died for the sin of the whole world, does that mean the whole world is going to Heaven?”  He immediately responded, “No.”  “Why not?”  I asked. 

“The whole world does not accept Him,” he said. 

I then asked this poor lost sinner if he was tired of his sin and wanted a change in his life, and he assured me that he did.  This religious man bowed his head and called on the Lord, acknowledging that he was a sinner and that he needed the forgiveness of the Lord Jesus who died on the cross for him. “Jesus, I believe you love me.  I believe you died for me.  I believe you arose again the third day, just like the Bible says.  Right now Lord, the best way I know how, I turn from my sin and trust you and you alone for the forgiveness of my sin.  Please come into my life and save my soul.  Help me to live for you because you were willing to die for me.  In Jesus name, Amen.” 

Needless to say, there were two men who were thrilled that day—the sinner who was saved and the soul winner—not to mention the Savior and the heavenly host rejoicing over one sinner who repents.  A dear pastor friend came along after I had left this man’s cell and said, “I saw you kneeling with that preacher a while ago.  What happened?”   

This man who started the day with religion and now had a relationship with the Savior said, “Jesus saved me!”  Enough said!  He now knows that when he dies, heaven will be his home, not because of deeds that he had done, but because of the deliverance that he had just experienced in Christ.

It is my earnest prayer that this study will bring about an awareness that there are many like Nicodemus in the world.  These must somehow understand that eternal life in heaven and abundant life on earth is not about a religion, but about a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus. This can come only through being born from above; that is, being born again.

We must remember that lost men and women must be drawn to Jesus, not dragged; there must be a discussion, not a debate; and there needs to be a genuine declaration, not a delusion.  In the life of Nicodemus, these factors produced a wonderful deliverance from a woeful damnation.   

Nicodemus was drawn into a discussion with the Savior.  It was during this process that he heard a declaration of truth that would produce a deliverance which he would never forget.  Deliverance or damnation, this is a choice every man must make.  May this booklet challenge us to help others, that they too would trust Jesus, thereby making the right choice.  Many prior to trusting Jesus, like Nicodemus, the Apostle Paul, and others mentioned in the Bible, were very sincere in what they believed, yet sincerely wrong.  Remember: eternity is way too long to be wrong!  There is a way that seems right unto men, and there is a way that is right.  Jesus emphatically declares in John 14:6, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”