Living for the First Time

It has been said many times before that the third time is a charm. As my wife and I recently welcomed the birth of our third child and first girl into our family, I couldn’t help but notice many of her first experiences in the hospital. As soon as she was born, she took her first breath of fresh air and with that let out her first cry. As her eyes opened, she took in the many sights that surrounded her and her precious ears were without a doubt flooded with noise and busyness. She felt another human’s touch, probably had a foul taste in her mouth and even a grumbling in her tummy for some food. There must have been a multitude of thoughts going through her head with so much to take in at once.

That is the physical birth in a nutshell along with all the pricking, poking and touching that takes place in the first 48 hours of life but what about the spiritual birth. What in the world are people talking about when they say you must be born again? What does it really mean to be living for the first time? Even Nicodemus was confused when talking to Jesus in John chapter three. Nicodemus said in John 3:4 “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3:5 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

We all experience being born of water which is of the flesh; however, not everyone makes the decision to be born of the Spirit. Jesus goes on to share what is arguably the most significant verse in the Bible. In John 3:16 he says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Being born again occurs when you personally believe God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for your sins and accept Him as the Lord of your life.

Just like a child that is born into the world for the first time, a new believer in Christ will see the world in a different light. They are no longer shackled by their sins because they have been forgiven as so fittingly described in 1 John 1:9. You are filled with the Holy Spirit and are promised eternal life in Heaven. I really believe when a person comprehends their talents, time and resources are not theirs but the One who created them, they begin living for the first time. Doing all to glorify God and His Son while loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. I dare you to fully embrace Christianity and not be forever changed. The void is finally filled with a relationship with Christ and your earthly purpose is ultimately discovered. That is what I call living for the first time!


Your Brother in Christ,

Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40

"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"

Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit www.playingforjesusministries.com.