Posted by
Scott Ptak on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 8:09:28 AM
There is something wonderful and miraculous about watching the birth of a baby as it comes into the world. As you watch this event taking place, it can, if just for an instant, literally take your breath away as you see what God Himself has created unfolding right before your eyes. There is an innocence and purity associated with the birth of a child that is unlike anything else.
As parents we look down into the face of this baby and we see a newness of life that offers hope. Hope that our children will grow strong and healthy, that they will rise above earthly circumstances, that they will have a better and more productive life than their parents before them, and that they will impact society in a meaningful way.
As I looked into the faces of both my children as they were being brought into this world, I could not help but wonder what God had in store for them. I imagine that if you are a parent, you felt the same way.
God is so good. Do you realize that even as adults we have been given the opportunity to begin again – to start over? God has given us the opportunity to begin our lives again, to start fresh, regardless of how old we are. From the teenager to the senior citizen, we can begin again. It doesn’t matter what your past has been or what you’ve done, you too can have the chance to start over.
How can that be you may ask? Well, I’m not speaking of undoing what has already been done. It’s hard to unscramble scrambled eggs. I’m speaking of the ability given to us by God to begin again spiritually when we accept Him into our lives.
In the Gospel of John, God shares it with us this way; “After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to speak with Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you." Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never 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, "The truth is, 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 new life from heaven.” (John 3:1-6 New Living Translation)
The terms being born again, saved, converted, or accepting Christ, all mean the same thing. They are all Biblical and you may refer to it in one way and someone else by another. The essence is this: When you receive Christ as your personal Savior, you become brand new spiritually. I hope you are grasping the significance of this statement. You will become new again.
The Apostle Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes to the church in Corinth, and to us, the following: “Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live…” What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun.
Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives us new life, and we are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or even reeducated – we are recreated (new creations) living in a vital union with Christ. At the time of accepting Christ we don’t merely turn over a new leaf, we begin a new life under a new Master.
Are you tired of living the same way day after day trying to “do life” on your own? You don’t have to any longer. Your past can be forgiven, your present can be glorious, and your future can be secured if you humble your heart before God and accept His Son Jesus Christ. God’s words say it best: “For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’”
Indeed, God is ready to help you right now – all you need do is ask. If I can be of assistance, please email. Have a blessed day.
© 2008 Scott Ptak. All Rights Reserved.
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