John 3:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Footnotes: a. Or from above; the Greek is purposely ambiguous and can mean both again and from above;

John 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

We do not want to scare off anyone who comes to a point of confession and acceptance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yesterday we explored the necessity of telling the initiate the truth. In our zeal to witness salvation we might overlook some important issues about this individual.

An in depth interview should be held to understand the initiates desires and expectations. That tale will take us back to a life lived under Satan’s rule. Were they aware of Satan’s influence? Do they understand the captive nature of sin? Do they understand they are helpless to change those conditions? Do they want to change, not just their circumstances but their very identity?

2 Corinthians 5:17 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Is this passage understood properly? While it seems simple enough there is a human perspective that always gets attached that rarely becomes part of the initiate’s conversation. What do they expect to become as this new creation? Some version render creation as creature. False expectations lead to disappointment.

Matthew 13:23 tells us; “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it.” The gospel, the good news, must be understood in order to develop this new creation.

What should they expect? Simply put the truth is all they should expect.

Micah 6:8 English Standard Version (ESV) He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Shortly after my first baptism I was told by a church deacon that I was expected to become a missionary. Something within me said no. I didn’t understand why I rejected the notion, I just did. Do others place expectation upon us based on what they perceived is needed? Do we do the same to others?

I left off yesterday with the notion they perhaps they should preach the new heart before the alter call. Perhaps more detail should be addressed of the coming changes that will occur once we accept Christ. The concept of becoming a new creature was never part of any teaching I could remember prior to my alter call. My concern was over the vile person I was, not who would come out the other side of the baptismal tank.

Perhaps too much is made of our expectations of others because of our own experiences. Perhaps if we could just point to Micah 6:8 as starting point for change by telling new believers what God expects. Then as the walk humbly with God the rest of their conversion with happen within the will of God.

Before my baptism I did not like to be told what to do. A rebellious heart had been changed but the rebellious mind still held memories of resentment. I had not learned to listen to this new heart because I was not aware that I had received a heart transplant. Being told shortly afterwards might well have been received by a mind of unbelief. Much of what was to happen to me in life would have been rejected by a mind that was not yet transformed.

When a doctor prepares you for a heart transplant there is a lot of testing, education and mental preparation for the changes that will occur. Perhaps that should be our example of this spiritual heart transplant. Prepare the initiate before the baptism.