John 3:3
Jesus replied, “With all the earnestness I
possess I tell you this: Unless you are born again, you can never get
into the Kingdom of God.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Spring
is filled with birthdays in our family. Two of our great nieces, Erin
and Caitlyn, have birthdays in March. Today is my husband’s birthday,
and our great-nephew Chase will be eleven in two more days. Timothy
will turn six on May 13th, step-niece Mecayla will be 19 the following day, our great-niece Ellie Grace will be a year
old on the 24th, and Zola will be four on May 31st! We are grateful for
each person represented – and the family members and friends whose
birthdays we celebrate the rest of the year. In some fashion, we will
mark each and every one of these special days.
Our physical
birthdays are supposed to be celebrated and noted with festivities,
gifts and significant rituals and traditions. But let’s not forget that
for all its importance, this “birthday” is not the one that really
matters. Okay, sure…you can’t have one without the other. Were there
not a human “birth day”…there would be no opportunity to be born again.
But let’s not split hairs here.
For every party, candle, card,
gift, tradition, greeting with well wishes, and other activity designed
to celebrate these births, we should be even more jubilant and excited
to celebrate our “new birth in Christ.” I’ll be honest…I cannot tell
you my exact “born again” date – and you may not recall yours, either.
And that’s okay. Let your actual birthday suffice as a “dual celebration
day,” if necessary. But let’s be sure to celebrate the day that Jesus
wiped away our sins – and our tears – once and for all. Let’s revel in
the joy and confidence that we are destined for the Kingdom of God
because of our decision – and our commitment - to follow Jesus.
As
our young children, friends and family members give their hearts to
Christ and are born again, let’s revel in the knowledge and confidence
that we will all be reunited someday in Heaven. And let’s make sure that
every person in our circle of influence understands that this “second
birthday” is the one that really matters for all Eternity. Let’s be
sure that we share the way to Salvation through the blood of Jesus
Christ with each of them. Let it never be said, “I wish I had told more
people about Jesus…I wish I had helped more people understand the
importance of being ‘born again’.”
We are right to celebrate
birthdays…to mark the passage of time and commemorate the birth of each
honoree. But we must keep these milestones in perspective and make sure
that there are TWO birthdays to celebrate…one that reflects on the past
– and one that more significantly looks toward the future. The best
“birthday gift” is the assurance of an eternal home in the Kingdom of
Heaven. Have you secured yours? Do you have two “birthdays” to celebrate?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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