God, the Lover. God, the Giver. God, the Savior.
And man, the believer. And for those who believe, he has promised a new birth.
But despite the simplicity, there are still those who don’t believe. They don’t trust the promise. They can’t imagine how God could forgive their sins. It’s almost too good to be true.
If only they would try. If only the would test it. But God is as polite as he is passionate. He never forces his way in. The choice is theirs.
And for those who do come, he has promised a new birth.
Does that mean the old nature will never rear its ugly head? Does that mean you will instantly be able to resist any temptation?
To answer that question, compare your new birth in Christ to a newborn baby. Can a newborn walk? Can he feed himself? Can he sing or read or speak? No, not yet. But someday he will.
It takes time to grow. But is the parent in the delievery room ashamed of the baby? Is the mom embarrassed that the infant can’t spell...that the baby can’t walk...that the newborn can’t give a speech?
Of course not. The parents aren’t ashamed; they are proud. They know that growth will come with time. So does God. “God is being patient with you. he does not want anyone to be lost, but he wnats all people to change their hearts and lives (2 Peter 3:9).
God is often more patient with us than we are with ourselves. We assume That if we fall, we aren’t born again. If we stumble, then we aren’t truly converted. If we have the old desires, then we must not be a new creation.
Please remember: “God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again” (Philippians 1:6)
In many ways, your new birth in Christ is like your first; In your new birth, God provides what you need and someone else does the work. And just as parents are patient with their newborn, so God is patient with you. But there is one difference. The first time you had no choice about being born; this time you do. The power is God’s. The effort is God’s. The pain is God’s.
But the choice is yours.