Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
This past week our baby boy, Joshua, turned 36! It’s hard to believe. But our grand-daughter, Piper, Vicki’s Mom and youngest brother and my sister, Vicky, also celebrated birthdays in February. I won’t tell you how old my sister is but I’ll tell you that I’ll be 67 this year and she is three years older than me!
As I considered the birthdays we celebrated this month it made me think. Each of them was celebrated in the month we have set aside to celebrate love. Those in the family look at each person with love as these special days approach. It always a special time to give thanks as God blesses with the beginning of another year.
Then I thought about a passage in John 3 where Jesus is questioned by Nicodemus. Jesus simply said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jn. 3:3). Nicodemus didn’t understand because he asked about entering a second time into the mother’s womb. It was then that Jesus said something that changed the normal thoughts on the birth process.
He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (Jn. 3:5-7). In just a few words, Jesus completely turned this Pharisee’s world upside down. What Nicodemus had known before was challenged at this time. He had one birthday, but now Jesus was telling him he needed another one.
As I thought about this I began to wonder about you and me. I don’t remember June 8, 1954, but that is my birth date, but my parents did. Joshua doesn’t remember February 23, 1985, but Vicki and I do. You don’t remember the day you were born into this life, but others do. There is no doubt in my mind that I was born. I’m breathing, moving and seeing the wonders of this life.
I do remember the day that I asked Jesus into my heart and was born again. I know it was on a Sunday on the last day of spring Revival services in 1962. I know my Heavenly Father is well aware of that very moment when I prayed and asked Him into my heart. There is no doubt in my heart that I’ve been born again, because His Spirit is bearing witness with my spirit that I am a child of God.
I have a spiritual birthday that I can celebrate because I know Jesus as my Savior. It is my hope and prayer that people know that celebrating the physical birth is great, but celebrating that we have been born again is the most wonderful thing of all. I pray that all who read this will find that assurance in their lives that they have been born again.
I can tell you for sure that God created you to be in a relationship with Him, and that relationship only comes through the process of being ‘born again’. As Paul wrote – “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Remember, “for whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Being born once will get you a party once a year. Being born again will get you a party in the Father’s house for eternity. Hope to see you at the Father’s house for the party!
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
