New Birth

 Greetings to you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

     John 1:12-13 says, “  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” 

     We usually think that July 4th is our independence day or the day that we became a new nation, separating from England.    We have the Declaration of Independence which was signed by some very famous men and we have the Star Spangled Banner by Key that describes a battle and the flag flying overhead.  We also have the Statue of Liberty which stands in New York harbor and the Liberty Bell that is in Philadelphia.  We know that the fourth of July is an important day and we usually set off a number of fireworks to celebrate the birth of a new nation.  I met my wife for the first time on July 4th, 1959 and we watched fireworks that night at Tacoma Park in Silver Spring, Maryland.    Most of us remember our birthdays as we always had a celebration put on by our families and sing the birthday song, get some cake and ice cream and maybe a gift here and there.  New things tend to be remembered.

     The passage for today is also important in the life of every person on the face of the earth because it speaks of another new birth and it is the birth of a new believer.  We are  not born into the family of God by our parents, or our ancestors or by anything that we can endeavor to do.  Notice that it says we were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.  I have heard of so many people that say they are going to join the church on Easter Sunday, or on Christmas eve or when they get baptized or when the complete their confirmation class, but all of those things are of the flesh and and of the will of man.  What we need is a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and that takes place when you are born from above, born of God.  I recall the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit for twelve hours, twelve long hours, when I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way even though I had known about Him for thirteen years.  I remember kneeling at the first bed in a motel in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Missionary Ridge and confessing my sin and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ.  I remember calling my pastor at twelve thirty in the middle of night and telling him the news and he and his wife rejoiced.  It was my “independence” day as I was then headed for an eternity with God and my citizenship was then in heaven and guaranteed by the sealing of the Holy Spirit.  Yes, Independence is important whether it is the nation or your own soul.  Praise God today that He is willing able to save us.