Day 2 | A Second Chance at Life
John 3:3, “In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
I was born January 19th, 1977 and within a few years, according to my parents, I showed a propensity towards rebellion. In 2nd grade I received my first paddling at the Christian school, in 5th grade I was given a permanent desk in “time out,” expelled for the first time in 6thgrade for “mooning” a girl, and by the time I was 16 years old I was a drug dealing high school drop out.
When I was 18 years old after being arrested 8x, having contracted two sexual transmitted infections, and doing cocaine regularly- I knew I needed a second chance at life. Therefore, after my Mom presented me with the Gospel at her kitchen table, something was different; I realized like never before, I needed Jesus to forgive me and make me new. Thus, I confessed my sins and made Jesus the Lord and Savior of my life that day. As a result, I was born again November 5th, 1995.
What is your life story? Don’t judge mine or try to cover up yours. How old were you when you told your first lie, took something that didn’t belong to you, willing disobeyed your parents, lusted after someone, had jealousy in your heart, coveted what your friend had, or took the Lord’s name in vain? The bottom line is we’re all born sinners with a strong inner desire towards sin. And we all need Jesus to forgive us and give us a second chance at life.
That’s what it means to be “born again.” Just like you were born the first time in your flesh by your parents a sinner, now you can be born again in your soul and Spirit by Jesus’ work on the cross and become a saint of God. And if you’ve already been born again, remember to live your new life, not the old one! All things are new this time around so let God make the best of every day you live!
Reflection
Action
- If you’re not born again, repent of your sins and put your full trust in Jesus.
- If you are born again examine your life to see if any of the old junk has come back. If it has, repent to God for it and ask Him to make you a new person in each and every area of your life.
- Tell somebody today about your “second birth day-” it will increase your faith and encourage them.