Jesus says:
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Gospel of John 3, 3
The wish of so many: Start all over again and leave behind everything has been awful. As if it is a new blank sheet of paper. Be as innocent and pure as a newborn baby. Escapism and start carefree …
It is possible! But only as God wants it, not the way we want it.
From God’s point of view someone starts a new life when he receives Jesus into his heart, when someone humbles himself before God and entrusts Him with his life, if someone stops living for himself and places Jesus is on the throne, when the Spirit of God takes possession him. This is for God, as if a new person is born. The old has died, a new life begins.
The Spirit of God draws us to Christ. The birth pangs are like the dying of the old self. The separating sin is eliminated and the person gets a new heart, a heart in which Jesus is the King, in which the Holy Spirit dwells and spreads His light.
It is not enough if only the debt is forgiven and we continue as before. We need this new heart and new life from God. The Holy Spirit wants to make this happen in us. Then it is like a birthday. The angels celebrate in heaven, and we on Earth are also filled with joy.
There are many "programs" how to become a child of God. Those are not bad. But we listen to the Holy Spirit as He leads us. The baby cannot help at birth and does not need to make an effort. God’s Spirit is like a midwife, he delivers us and trust, and then brings this new birth and brings new life.
The birth of all Christians is different. I grew up in a family and environment, who knew nothing of God. Yet the Spirit of God has drawn me and made me worried until I have found Jesus. He himself set the course, so that I found people who worshiped him. As we drove after few months to a crusade with Billy Graham, it was natural that I went forward. I thought yes to the Lord Jesus. Knowledge of sin and everything else came only months and years later, but since my decision for Jesus, I am a child of God. I have since sometimes gone astray, but the Heavenly Father was faithful to me. He has always held me tight in his hand – thank you, father!
Thank you Father, that You have become my father! You’ve done a lot for me to find You. And You were always faithful to me, otherwise I would have been lost again. Thank You for the new life, thank You for the new heart, thank You for the Holy Spirit who realizes everything You want. You are sooo good to me!
Bible Reading Today: Revelation 9: 1 – 12