How many birthdays?

viaadminTeen Talk, Volume 48

Your birthday is a special day that is all about you. It’s a time of fun and celebration—a day to enjoy special treats and open presents.

HOW MANY BIRTHDAYS?

How many birthdays have you had? I don’t mean how many times have you blown out candles or gotten a year older. I mean, how many times have you been born? You see, even if you celebrate your birthday 13 times, 21 times, or even 100 times, it’s just one birthday—the day that you were born into the world.

Jesus talked about being born, and said that it was important to have two birthdays: one physical birthday, and one spiritual birthday. He told a man named Nicodemus that he needed to be born again. Jesus said to him, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). You might be wondering what Jesus meant—don’t feel bad, Nicodemus wondered, too.

BORN TWO TIMES?

What does it mean to be born again? It has to do with spiritual life. Each of us enters this world as a sinner. Sin is doing bad things and things that are not what God wants us to do. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our sin keeps us from God.

The Bible goes on to say that we are all spiritually “ dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). This is why being born again is absolutely necessary if you want to spend eternity with God in Heaven.

THE GOOD NEWS

Being born again is all about having our sins washed away and receiving new life from God. How can we do that? The good news is that God loves us so much that He sent His Son (Jesus) to take away our sins and give us new life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment that we deserve for all of the bad things that we have done (and will do) during our lives. Then He rose from the dead to prove that He can save us and give us eternal life.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Have you had your second birthday? If you’re not sure, now is the time to confess that you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, and put your total trust in Jesus to take you to Heaven. When you do that, it’s your second birthday! God promises that when you call out to Him and accept His free gift of salvation, He will take away your sins, give you new life, and someday take you to Heaven to live with Him.

“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Moments with the Book

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