A New Beginning預覽

Born-Again

My little one has a strong bond with my stomach. He has special songs for my stomach and has expressed his desire for my stomach not to be small. One day, he finally said, “I want to go in your stomach.” I explained that going back inside my belly is impossible, but “you must be born again,” I said. He said, “I don’t want to be born-again.” If only he knew how wonderful it is to be “born again.” Someday soon he will know.

You are most likely reading this plan because you recently surrendered your life to Christ or may be wondering, what does it mean to be born again? 

Thousands of years ago, a man named Nicodemus asked the same question. Here is the true story:

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit. John 3:1-8 (NLT)

I have experienced what Jesus said. It is difficult to explain, but our life changes once we are born again (2 Corinthians 5:17). We begin a relationship with God and start growing spiritually. This relationship with God gives us victory over the fear of death and empowers us to face challenges with great hope that something good will come from whatever we face. 

"Born again" and "new life" are synonymous. New life means a new beginning. We begin to let go of those things that are not morally right, those things we hide from everyone, or those things that bring us deep pain and shame. The beautiful thing is that God empowers us to let go of those things as we choose Him and surrender to His Lordship daily. 

We all do not like people forcing themselves on us or forcing us to do things. Likewise, God. If you draw close to Him with all your heart, you will be saved from destruction, empowered to live right, and experience freedom. James 4:8 (NLT) says “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”

Prayer: God, I thank You for inviting me to be a part of Your family. Father, teach me to live right. I surrender my life to You. Reveal Yourself to me, in the name of Jesus.