Dear friend, Jesus places before you now the most important decision of your life. You can tell how serious He is. Three times He says, “I tell you the truth!” (Jesus’ wording is literally, “Truly, truly, I say to you….” So He actually uses this word “truly” six times with Nicodemus!) He repeats how impossible it is to enter God’s kingdom without this birth (John 3:3-7). As Jesus teaches He proves His words come from God (3:11-13). They are the basis for eternal salvation – or eternal destruction (3:34-36). As Jesus says in John 6:63,
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Dear friend, the word of God cannot fail. It will give you life if you allow it to do its saving work in you. But if you refuse, it will go on to do the work of judging you. You alone decide whether God’s word brings you mercy or condemnation.
The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me (John 12:48-50).
Jesus stresses your personal choice in a story about His “seed” (Matthew 13; Luke 8).
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path (Matthew 13:19).
Nicodemus is hearing “the message about the kingdom” – how to see it and enter it. Even when he first misunderstands he faces a decision. He can harden himself against further learning. This allows Satan to steal God’s word, like a bird taking seed from a path. But Nicodemus can choose to keep on learning from Jesus, so as to understand Him. Then God’s seed can grow within him. You, dear friend, face the same decision. You can choose an honest heart that listens, learns and obeys.
As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
To “hold it fast” means to hold tightly to the word. To “bear fruit with patience” means to keep trying even when it is difficult. Satan uses many troubles and temptations. Allowing these trials to close your heart turns it into rocky or thorny ground that chokes out God’s word. Therefore you must remain strongly committed to truth.