Born Again 

Beautiful People,

You and I were born into this world without any say on who our parents would be and what attributes we would inherit from them. We didn't cross-examine calendars with our parents and doctors on which day we preferred to be born either; however, as Christians, we have a say in which father we want and which characteristics we want to emulate. We can either choose to be children of God or children of the devil—children of life or children of death. We can receive the Spirit that transforms us into the likeness of Christ, or we can learn to speak the native tongue of the devil—lies. We can choose to bring life to others, or we can choose to live a life where we steal, kill, and destroy each other. "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

We didn't have the opportunity to delegate the details of our birth; however, in our spiritual walk, we have the chance to choose to serve God and let His character and love radically change how we do life. How is it possible? Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Christ said to Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). 

Our spiritual birth is a choice! Now here is where the rubber hits the road. Our natural "flesh" birth predisposed us to our parents' specific cognitive and behavioral patterns. We inherit our new Father's character when we are born of the Spirit. You and I had never experienced spiritual life until we believed in Jesus. What is born of the Spirit, through faith, is a new creation! In other words, who we are today should not resemble who we were before Christ in our life! The new life we live belongs to Christ! "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). What the devil wants to do is to make you question the validity of your new life in Christ. He speaks this lie, "Did God really make you new, or are you just fooling yourself?" Look closely at this deception. The devil wants to make us believe that we are still lost and destined to live a life ruled by sin. God truly has given you and me the Way, Truth, and Life that brings us to spiritual life and maturity. If the devil comes to you again with this deception, respond with Galatians 2:20. I am crucified with Christ; I no longer live but He who loved me!