A Newborn

You must be born again:  John 3:7, Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 

I Peter 2:2-3, As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

We have all been around newborns either as parents, siblings, aunts, friends, care providers or…

We have all discovered five things that mark a newborn:

1. hunger!  2. Mom!  3. smells!  4. sleep!  5. only little noises

I suggest that the same should mark a newborn Christian.

Let me give these to you using the hand as a symbol.

1. the thumb – hunger – if not Mom, then they are often sucking their thumb.

They desire food – often each day!  As a true Christian there should be a passion for the word.

Matthew 5:6, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

If saved there should be a hunger for God’s will, wisdom and ways.

2. the index finger – #1 – number one for an infant is Mom!  Nobody else will do!

This is about the church – if saved there is a deep and passionate love for the brethren.

I John 3:14, We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.

I Peter 1:22, Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

The church as a mother: birthing (Galatians 4:19), nursing (I Corinthians 3:1-2), and comforting (I Thessalonians 2:7).

One born again loves to fellowship, worship, study and serve with other ones born again (Hebrews 10:23-25).

3. the next finger – a born one still offends with smells, outbursts and demands at midnight.

One truly born again will fuss over wet or dirty diapers (sins) and care about offending others. One born again will welcome being “changed” – cleaned up.

I John 1:9-10, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Galatians 6:1, Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness

4. the fourth finger – rest – sleep – peace – calm.  A newborn sleeps – A LOT!!
   The new life in Jesus brings a release from bondage and fear to a hope, joy and peace.

Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God.

Mark 5:15, they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.

5. the little finger – little noises – even the cry, while loud, is sweet.

Newborns have little or only a simple means of communication.  A second born’s Bible thoughts, understandings, and prayers are also quite simple and limited, but sweet.

Hebrews 5:13, For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

So, being born again means they will initially act like a newborn.  Those of us more spiritual need to understand their need for us to act as a loving mother to them.

I Thessalonians 2:7-9, But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day.