John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

I do not remember being born in the flesh. Why is it that I should think that I can remember being born of the Spirit? Maybe because I have memories of when I was not yet born again.

I do not remember exactly when I was born again. All I do know for sure is that I have memories of a person I was before and I cannot believe I was ever like that, but I was.

There is no real way to connect the two experiences because they are so different. This new life in Christ has better meaning.

When I was born of the flesh I knew nothing. I was totally dependent on my life in the flesh because I could not feed myself, walk, or talk. Everything was a learned experience.

Life in the Spirit was much like that but I did not know I was so dependent on the Spirit.

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

During my early years no one ever thought to tell me this Kingdom was now. It always was presented to me as a future time, in paradise with God, after I died a natural death.

Nope, His Kingdom is the one I was born again into but I had not yet learned how to see it.

Do spiritual eyes need focus? We do live in this world, just not of this world. When did I become aware of that? I don’t remember, it was so long ago.

2 Timothy 3:7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Life in the flesh is but a perception but this life in the Spirit is truth. When did I realize that? I don’t know, it was so long ago.

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

God the Father sought me out long before I was ever born in the flesh but I didn’t know that. When did I realize that? I don’t know, it was so long ago.

What I do know is that I am a new creation because of the will of God even though I don’t remember being born again.

John 14:14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

Both of these verses are true.

Why is it that so many of our prayers go unanswered when we include “in your name” in those prayers?

Perhaps that is because the Father’s will is unimpeachable. 

John 5:30 I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Both of these verses are true.

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

If we want to pray the will of the Father then we must learn the lessons of the Holy Spirit.

That is a revelation that cannot be discovered without His abiding presence.