Comparing the 1st Birth to the Rebirth:
This summer, I was overjoyed at the birth of my second grandson. I didn't witness him entering the world, but I got to see him within 24 hours of his arrival. Let's face it, having a baby is exciting for those who want them, but it can also be a bit scary. During those 9 months or so, as the baby grows inside the mother's womb, many things take place. So many things can go wrong. There's only so much control the mom has. She can eat all the right foods, avoid the ones known to be dangerous, limit her use of prescription medication, and exercise to keep the blood flowing.
About 92% of births in the United States go to term without complications. Here is part of the article.
https://www.forbes.com/health/womens-health/pregnancy/pregnancy-statistics/
"The majority of pregnancies go smoothly. However, as those who have experienced pregnancy complications know, that’s not always the case. In around 8% of pregnancies, complications occur that could result in harm to the mother or baby if they are not treated.
Being diagnosed with a pregnancy complication—or simply worrying that you may experience health problems during pregnancy—can lead to a lot of anxiety and fear. For some people, knowledge is power, and grounding yourself with hard data on pregnancy statistics can offer reassurance as well as a better understanding of pregnancy complications and how often they occur.
And if you are experiencing a pregnancy complication, know that you are not alone in your experience, and your doctor can help you receive the support and care you need."
Babies grow at different rates. Doctors use charts to determine the percentile at which the baby falls. The chart compares height, weight, and BMI.
I’ll be comparing the first birth with being born again (the 2nd birth). I’ll explain what I mean by being born again after making a few comparisons.
When a person is “reborn, or born again,” it may take time for this to happen. It can take years. The majority of rebirths go smoothly at first, but much anxiety and fear enter as a person is trying to understand the process. For some, knowledge is power, and if they can arm themselves with a better understanding of what it means to be reborn and what obstacles they may face, they will better prepare themselves for their new life. Each reborn person grows at a different rate.
I mentioned not seeing my grandchild born, but I did see him within 24 hours. The actual birth is a private matter, usually between the parents and child. Of course, depending on where the child is born, there may also be some medical personnel to help with the delivery.
I did not see the exact time my friend Amy was reborn. This rebirth is also a very personal thing between the parent (Father God) and child. I was there along the way, delivering the message of being born again. This is what many pastors and preachers do, as well as those who have experienced the new birth themselves. Just as a newborn child gets help entering this world, the person being reborn gets help entering their new life.
There are just a few things I see as very sacred, beautiful, and special that, at the very moment they occur, are so personal that the exact moment is not shared with many people. Many women don’t want an audience as they give birth. They are concentrating on the birth.
Many people are born again because of a few special people who are present to explain the process. Sometimes it’s in a big stadium with thousands of people. It may be in their home, watching someone on TV talk about what happens when a person is born again and the “new family” they will have.
When a baby is born, the hospital gives them a birth certificate. A birth certificate proves one's identity, and the place and date of birth. When one is born again, many churches will give them a certificate of baptism showing they now have a new identity, and it usually says the date and place the person proclaimed their new birth.
Parents may send out announcements on the birth of their child so others can join in on the happy occasion. People will announce they have been reborn by inviting others to their baptism.
There was a man named Nicodemus, who was a teacher in Israel, a ruler of the Jews, and he did not understand Jesus when He said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. He wanted to know how a man can be born again when he is old. (You can read the whole encounter in John chapter 3)
Praise God, no matter how old anyone is, they can be born again. Nicodemus asked how a man can enter his mother's womb again. Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be? You may be wondering, just as Nicodemus did, how this can be. Of all people, Nicodemus was a teacher, and Jesus told him Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things? Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know this either. Learn from what was told to Nicodemus.
I started writing this before the assassination of Charlie Kirk. After this happened, I received a message asking me to provide a “prescription” for the emotions people might be experiencing right now. I prayed, started to write, and was led to finish this one. The Holy Spirit, as He is known to do, took me to another place to finish this writing. I will try in God’s strength to finish the other “prescriptions” from His Word to help others, as I know it helps me. There truly is a somber mood over me, which can lead to depression. I will go deeper into that (in the next post, Prescription for these emotions) and the “prescription” Jesus the Great Physician has given to anyone so they can overcome that which the enemy thinks he can use to stop the praise of God’s people.
“But as he was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now” If that verse doesn’t sum up the assassination and all the school shootings, rapes, murderers, sex trafficking, abusive people (verbally and physically), anyone going around committing crimes, all the evil happening than I don’t know what does. How does one rejoice in flesh killing flesh? WE DON’T, but rejoice in the Spirit giving life to the flesh!
You may not understand about the children of promise. There was one born of the Spirit to Abraham, a promise fulfilled. (Galatians 4, Genesis 21). Being born again enables us to become a child of promise. Anyone can now be grafted into The Vine, which is Jesus Christ. It was His rejection that allowed our acceptance. This happened because of the New Covenant, which you can read about in Galatians.
Are you still rejecting a new birth? Are you still stuck in the life of the flesh, or do you desire a new life in the Holy Spirit, who will guide, lead, and direct you in the way of this life you should go? The Holy Spirit will never lead you to commit any of the crimes and craziness we as a society are dealing with today.
The New Life with the Holy Spirit will lead you deeper into the truth of God. The Holy Spirit manifests and is alive in those born to this new life. He is what allows us to love, moving us to goodness and light. When the rebirth happens, the Holy Spirit will continue to work, transforming a decrepit, sad, lonely, and evil heart into a life that, now empowered by the Holy Spirit, can find peace in difficult situations. The new life now has confidence in a God that is omnipotent and omnipresent (there are many more attributes of God). God’s strength is given to His children. God’s presence is constant.
The last thing I would like to talk about is THE INHERITANCE. In some families, the children or the grandchildren receive an inheritance when their parents or grandparents die. The inheritance may include property, vehicles, investments, timeshares, and cash. My dad often jokes that my siblings and I will inherit all their bills. My siblings and I are not very concerned about any inheritance from our 1st birth. What is more important is the inheritance obtained, even promised to us, from being born again. Father God does not die, so no one has to wait for their heavenly Father to die to obtain the riches He has for them. That could be another blog post….all the riches God has for His children. For now, I need to stay focused on finishing this one. The Word of God says a lot about inheritance.
When doing any work or task, keep this in mind: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this, you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ...(1 Peter 1:3-12 ESV)
I love where it says the inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. KJV says incorruptible and undefiled and does not fade away. That is talking about Jesus…who else can be described as this? He is our inheritance. Nothing on earth can take away your salvation. Nothing on earth can compare to this. It is by God’s power we have this, and it’s being guarded by faith. You have salvation in Jesus Christ. Yes, there are trials. When financial trials come to people, they may have nothing to leave as an inheritance, but nothing can take the inheritance God gives. And be wise in teaching your children about this. Yes, our faith is tested, and may it lead to praise for God through His son Jesus Christ.
Who will not receive the inheritance? Those not born of the Spirit but walking in the flesh.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 ESV)
I’ll leave you with a few questions.
1. Have you been born again?
2. Do you have questions and need more understanding as Nicodemus did?
3. Are you all set and excited about your new life in Jesus Christ and the inheritance you will receive? If so, please share it with others, as someone shared the good news with you.
4. Are you praying daily to walk in the newness of life you received, allowing the Holy Spirit to conquer the fleshly desires we so easily can cave to when we try to live by dos and don’ts and not by the Holy Spirit's leading?
