IT was Charlie’s birthday. He awoke very early that morning, and as soon as he was dressed, he ran into the guest-room to a friend who was visiting his mother. His arms were full of the gifts he had received for the occasion, and he displayed them proudly. It was for him a happy time.
While chatting with his friend, he asked her whether she also had a birthday.
“Yes, dear.” she answered, “I have, and better, I have two.”
“Two birthdays! How could that
be?”
“Yes, I have a birthday like you, Charlie. But there came a day when I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. That was my second birthday, for God says of those who believe in Jesus, they are ‘born again.’ The Lord said to Nicodemus, ‘Ye must be born again.’
God gives to all those who believe in His Son a marvelous and new life— ‘eternal life.’ Then they have a new birthday. I trust my little Charlie will soon have a new birthday.
Now I want to tell you of some of the beautiful gifts God gives to those who are born again. I am sure, should I ask you what presents you received on your last birthday, you could tell me, even though several of them should be lost or broken. They all get spoiled so quickly, and often the things we prize most, are the ones we lose first. How happy one must be to possess something that can neither get lost nor spoiled. Such, dear Charles, are the birthday gifts that God gives.
The first is eternal life. From the moment anyone, even the youngest child believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he receives eternal life.
The second is a new nature. Have
you found out that you have a bad heart? That you like to do wrong things? This wicked heart does not love God, and does not wish to please Him. But when you are born again God gives you a new nature, so that you can love Him, and desire to do that which pleases Him, instead of yourself.
Then there is a third gift—the living water, that is, the Holy Spirit of God, who comes to dwell in every believer to guide, comfort, and give strength, and joy day by day. The Holy Spirit teaches them the things of Christ Jesus, who is the Bread of Life, come down from heaven. Then they know Jesus as their Friend, as well as their Saviour.
I could tell you of a white robe, a crown, a harp, and the glorious ‘Father’s house,’ all given to those who are born again. These gifts are for the future, but you shall surely possess them, if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
ML 07/02/1922