If you have a moment, play this video above. It’s a song I really appreciate by the Newsboys, entitled, “Born Again.” Here are some of the lyrics:
“I found myself looking into the mirror
Knew I wasn’t who I wanted to be
I was living like the way that I wanted
But my eyes reminded me I’m not free.
Believed that I saw everything that I know
Says I got to go, tired of going solo
But I’m never gonna go there again.
This is what it is
This is who I am
This is where I finally take my stand
I didn’t want to fall
But I don’t have to crawl
I met the One with two scarred hands
Giving him the best of everything that’s left of
The life inside this man
I’ve been Born Again”
So often when we hear the words, “born again,” I think many immediately think of someone who has decided to make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Maybe they’ve heard a message at church about Jesus dying on the cross for us – that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins – that we can be completely forgiven of our sins when we ask Jesus for forgiveness and trust Him as our Lord and Saviour – and some have made commitments to follow Jesus Christ under these circumstances. To me, this is one of the greatest miracles one can experience – a life changed by God’s grace and mercy extended to us. Salvation is incredible. If someone has genuinely decided to follow and believe in Jesus Christ, they have truly been “born again.”
Jesus explained the need to be “born again” and what it means in John 3. Of course we cannot be physically “born again,” but we can be born again in a spiritual sense when the Spirit of God brings new life into us as we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour – we may then live eternally in the presence of God through this new birth.
The challenge for some of us, I think, is that when we speak of being “born again,” it is limited to that “moment of conversion.” What I like about the song and video by Newsboys entitled, “Born Again,” is that through the visuals of this video they have connected this new life with a new way of living that is consistent with the Kingdom of God – they are seeking the values of the Kingdom of God established here on earth – through helping the poor and disenfranchised. In James 1:27, the writer explains that “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (NIV).
I think it’s critical that being a “born again” Christian is not just something that points to a mere “moment of change,” but a change in lifestyle inaugurated by that new life the Spirit brings. A life that reflects the heart of God towards the world – particularly those who are in need. Let us consider how we might bless others who are in need today. I recognize that one does not need to be “born again” to help those in need, but I think that a lifestyle of blessing others should be particularly evident in one who is “born again.”
Most of us have heard about the devastation that has occurred recently in Japan due to the tsunami. You can help them today by donating something to an organization helping with the relief efforts. There are a lot of great organizations out there helping. One I know of that is helping is World Vision; if you like you can give to World Vision from anywhere in the world – check them out at this link – World Vision International. There are links on this page so you can select the country you are from, and subsequently make your donation.
Feel free to contact me or add your own thoughts here, always a pleasure to hear from you.