Two Birthdays

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

Our family significantly grew once we said, “I do”—our families merged. We later added children, then they had children, and the grandchildren added great-grandchildren—we celebrate family birthdays every month of the year. But for all of us who know right from wrong, the most significant birth is the moment we are born the second time.

Physical birth comes first, but without a spiritual rebirth, Jesus said a person cannot be part of God’s domain or family. We must be born again (v. 7). There must be a time in your life when you acknowledge Jesus is God’s Son, that He died for your sins and rose from the grave. You must confess your sins to God and ask Him to forgive and cleanse you (Rom 10:9, 10, 13)—and He will (1 John 1:9). Born-again believers want to turn from their old way of living, yield to and follow Jesus; that’s letting Him be Lord of your life.

We are living proof that one day we were born. That day someone recorded your birth date. You may not recall the date of your second birthday, but without a doubt, you invited Jesus into your life—the Holy Spirit confirms in your spirit that you are God’s child. That moment you said yes to Jesus, God wrote your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life; His presence within you is your assurance of living eternally with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But if you lack peace or have doubts, you have cause for concern.