Newborns

A mistake often made by Christian parents (and Christians) when their child utters some confession of faith is to tell them then, and repeatedly tell them, that they are now Christians – born again.

The problem is that far too often the child has simply had an emotional moment or offered some faith statement in order to please a parent, a friend, or a leader while not truly being broken and submissive before the cross that renders salvation.  Too often it is not a true salvation.  So how is one to tell if a confession is the real thing or not?  Let’s let the birth of a child instruct us.

When a human baby is born, you do not need to tell it or others that it is alive.  The baby tells you he or she is alive.  A newborn…

1) fusses for food

2) fusses for Mom

3) fusses when pants are wet or dirty

4) fusses when tired

5) and makes little noises and movements.

The newborn tells you he or she is alive!

Furthermore, that little one also has needs – not to be told it is alive, but needs that those mature should address such as:

1) a need be bathed – a raw bottom will bring many a short night to others

2) a need to be fed – a little at a time and often (not solids but “sincere” milk, not chunks of steak or cauliflower)

3) a need to be carried, moved – laying and sitting positions altered

4) a need to be hugged, cuddled, sang to about Daddy and life

5) and at times, a need to be occupied – a swing or mobile (being attracted and busied)

So let’s cross over to those born again – from a newborn example, what should be expected in one born again?

1) They should desire the sincere milk of the word, they should hunger and thirst for righteousness.

2) They should have a love for God’s people – His church – for “mom”.

3) They should take issue with their sin and want to be cleansed from its stench and corruption.

4) They should have a peace and rejoice in the peace that comes in true salvation.

5) They should utter simple prayers and praises even if they are brief or not theologically deep.

And they have needs.  They need God’s people to minister to them.

1) Bathe them – they need to hear about sins and help to confess and forsake them

2) Feed them – they need to be in Bible studies and given daily studies to do (the sincere milk of the Word)

3) Carry them – they need to prodded to go, do, and be

4) Hug them – they need to hear of God’s love and songs and prayers to God (Daddy)

5) And give them activities – they need to step into church life in some capacity

So, let us be good parents to infants and to those born again.

Such entails both paying attention to what they are “saying” – fussing – and to what they need.

Let us not play the Holy Spirit who affirms salvation (Romans 8:16) nor claim there are fruits of salvation when there are none (Matthew 7:20).

We should greatly rejoice as does God when someone is truly born again – when it is true (Luke 15:10)!  We must not let our desire for one’s salvation trump reality, else we encourage and seal false converts.  There are far too many today who claim to be Christians because their mother said so or a church counted them as converts when they are not.  Be wise!