"Born"

When I was born no telephone,

And they’d never seen TV,

It was another place in time,

Before these came to be.

Out of town where few folks lived,

On land my Daddy cleared,

And lots of it he did by hand,

Never doubted, never feared.

When I was born in fifty-two,

Jim Crow was still in style,

But this was challenged, all came down,

In just a little while.

No internet, no emails,

Saw wagons drawn by mules,

A throw-back to the older days,

When manners were our rules.

Our cars had no seatbelts,

Crank windows, no AC,

Gear-shifts, carburetors,

And no FM, you see.

You saw folks from a long way off,

From dust clouds in the road,

And many stopped to drink sweet tea,

And ease their heavy load.

And we had some sure-nuff cowboys,

Knew how to rope and ride,

Handling Florida cattle,

So wild and liked to hide.

When I was born my Mama prayed,

She gave to God my life,

Sometimes I think He took me then,

In spite of all my strife.

And no doubt ‘cause of how she prayed,

I was later born again,

Jesus came into my life,

And washed away my sin.

They say if you are born just once,

You’ll die not once, but twice,

But if you’re born, then born again,

‘Cause Jesus paid the price,

You only die at this life’s end,

Then live forevermore,

And all because He gave us grace,

How could we need it more.

So lots has changed since I was born,

With new technology,

But because I’m born again,

I’m changed eternally.

“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23, NLT)

Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once. The new birth is non-negotiable in regard to salvation. Jesus said it must happen for one to see or enter God’s Kingdom. Peter explained that because it is generated by God’s Word it is an eternal experience. Think about that. The mysterious, internal work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart performs surgery on the lethal cancer of sin and removes it forever. Pardon means we have received a “not-guilty” verdict from the Judge of the universe. The birth of the Spirit leads to a life empowered by the Spirit. But no one hits a home run without touching first base. You must be born again.

Lord, help us make certain of our spiritual birthday, in Jesus’ name.