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      Dedication

      This book is dedicated to my mother’s last born brother, Mr. Joseph Anukwu, fondly known as Uncle Joe. Uncle Joe is a humble, Christian, husband—and—father, a man of unquestionable character toward God and his family. His simple faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ continues to amaze his friends and the rest of us who are acquainted with him. Much love to you Uncle Joe.

      Introduction

      The Mystery and Miracle of New Birth: How Children of Men Become Sons and Daughters of God was written to be provocative to believers. It challenges Christians to bring the letters of the Scripture in conformity with the Spirit of the Scripture. To an outside observer of Christianity, it may appear as if the Scriptures promise much more than it can deliver. Others might use religious platitudes to explain away the concern as irrelevant because God is holy and man is vile. Also, some might feel offended that the Scripture is being insulted by this kind of suggestion. Believe it or not, this is not the first time someone wondered why stories of past victories do not match current needs among the people of God. In the Old Testament, Gideon was a man acquainted with great stories of how God delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery and bondage, and how He later drove the Canaanite nations out of their land and gave their land to Israel. He remembered the story so vividly that when the Medianites began to exert similar dominance over Israel, Gideon wondered out loud if indeed the stories he had been told were authentic and believable. As a result of his speculation and quandary, the Spirit of God thrust him in the forefront as a warrior leader and God used him to accomplish a great feat in the nation during his generation. Gideon, the man who, ironically, disqualified himself and his clan from leadership authority and responsibility, becomes God’s anointed deliverer who rescued Israel from her arch enemies. Now, if there is a Gideon inside or outside the church, this is your season to shine because the church needs you.

      Generally speaking, John 3:16 is an evangelistic vignette, popularized by America’s venerable Pastor Rev. Billy Graham, but there is more to that Scripture than evangelism. Not to diminish the significance of evangelism, it needs to be said that there is nothing in the gospel closer to the heart of God than to bring souls into His Kingdom. Therefore, John 3:16 remains a call, and the echo of an invitation from God to mankind to become His sons and daughters after the “order of Jesus”. And God did not anticipate religion when He issued the call but He knew Satan will not rest until he finds a way to corrupt what is holy and righteous. Religion is a corruption of what is holy and true. Religion is man’s invention to evade obedience to the Word of God while pretending to be in relationship with God. Christianity beckons the world to God, then and now, and there is no substitute for a relationship with God outside the walls of Christianity.

      Salvation is wholly and essentially supernatural. The birth of Jesus at the manger in Bethlehem, Israel, was and still is, a supernatural event no less in significance than the new birth of a child of God into His Kingdom through repentance. This book aims to challenge Christians—those truly born-again and spirit-filled—to see both events as one and the same. Jesus came from heaven to earth to dwell with man and the Christian went from earth into heaven to dwell with God & among the heavenly hosts. It is just a matter of order, by the God of order. Jesus said that one must be born again to see and must be born of water and Spirit to enter. While seeing precedes entering, there can be no entering without seeing. In other words, one can see, yet, not able to enter. If so, there might be men and women walking around the Kingdom of God who are not in the Kingdom. Well, this book exposes the fallacy and seeks to correct it by redirecting attention to the original command given by the Lord Himself.

      Now, about sons and daughters of God, this book clearly shows that all children of Abraham are children of God, but not all Abraham’s children are sons and daughters of God. There is a difference, and the distinction matters. This book points to Jesus as the sum and substance of what it means to be a son or daughter of God. A son of God has no prized instrument in his possession to enter into negotiations with God. It is obedience to the Word of God all the way! God’s will prevails in all matters of importance to His Kingdom, and such is the oath of sons and daughters of God. Just as Jesus is made a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, so are the sons and daughters of God after the order of Jesus. When one becomes a son of God, there is no looking back. Scripture says: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Lk.9:62). This book reminds readers that authority and responsibility are inherent with the title of sons and daughters of God. This book is a call to action. Gideon wondered about God and He made him a warrior and a winner. Jesus Christ can do the same with the church— the called out ones who also are the called – just as He did in former days.