"Born Again"
My baptism shortly after birth was a commitment from my Godly parents to commit me to God and to invite the Holy Spirit to guide, protect and encourage me in the faith throughout my life. So very thankful to my parents for putting me on the correct path to know, love and serve God. But a personal relationship with Christ is my decision alone and must be made from my heart to God with my full knowledge and free will.
Growing up Catholic, confirmed in the fifth grade, altar server for many years, attended Catholic grade school, Catechism through High School...I always knew who Christ was and what He did for me and all of mankind through His birth, suffering, death and resurrection! Always had a great appreciation, reverence and devotion to Mother Mary and the Saints. In summary, I had all the head knowledge of my faith but never really felt in my heart, or knew how my daily, sinful and "lukewarm Christian living" was affecting my life...my eternal life! No personal relationship with my Creator and "friend" Jesus Christ! I knew who He was but I didn't "know" Him!
One day as a young man, not long after College, I went to the movie theater alone to see "The Late Great Planet Earth." Only thing I remember about that event was it got me to start thinking about eternal life and prompted me to start reading the Bible. Back in the 60's and early 70's, we weren't encouraged as Catholics to read the Bible, since Catechism and the Mass explained it all...and it does by the way...if your heart and mind are fully engaged. As I have since learned, the Mass is a walk through the Bible! After reading the Bible cover to cover, it was indeed interesting, informative and at times and in my simpleton ignorant ways, repetitive. I wondered why? But the seed was sown!
Not until many years later after marriage and two beautiful children did I again begin to read Scripture on a regular, consistent basis. Also began listening to Christian television more frequently, read more Biblically based books and joined as many Bible Study groups as I could. After about 10 years, really started studying Scripture intensely both from the Catholic and Protestant perspectives, watched many Bishop Fulton Sheen broadcasts from the 60's, Billy Graham crusade broadcasts and many many other religious programs. Best time for reading the Bible for me was early in the morning at work. To beat the traffic, I arrived at the office about 6:00 AM every day and usually spent about an hour in the Word.
One morning, months after beginning my daily Bible reading routine, while reviewing Romans Chapter 6, I came to verse 23. "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." A powerful emotional feeling came over me like a fever without the aches. Suddenly I began to weep like never before and immediately two scripture verses came to mind, Isaiah 6:5 "Then I said, 'Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts'", and John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not die but will have everlasting life." Guilt, grace and mercy combining to let me know "I belong to Him."
Since that day, my spiritual life dramatically changed and continues to grow with respect to learning about "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit." (2 Corinthians 13:13), the opening prayer of every Mass BTW! The Holy Spirit enlightens my mind with something new spiritually almost every time I read the Bible. When I open the pages, the soft whisper of the Holy Spirit seems to say, "Good morning Bobby, great to see you again!"
Attending Mass and receiving the transubstantiated body of Christ into my person is by far the highlight and most important hour of my every week! With humility I offer my life to Him and ask for His grace and mercy every day. Being Born Again has given me the spiritual eyes to recognize my faults and sins both now and in the past and a receptive heart today to be convicted by the Holy Spirit when I offend Him by my words, thoughts and deeds.
Well, that's my "Born Again" experience! Everybody has a different one and no one is better than the other. The only thing that matters is having a personal relationship with Christ, an open mind and heart to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance and conviction, and putting God first in your life, seeking and accepting His will!
Below are a few of my favorite verses when I think about being Born Again!
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come."
2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves..."
Ephesians 1:18 "May He enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which He has called you..."
Ephesians 4:22-23 "You must lay aside your former way of life and the old self which deteriorates through illusion and desire, and acquire a fresh, spiritual way of thinking."
Sorry for the length and completely understand that everyone's experience in coming to know Christ is different. Will never argue with anyone about the love, grace and mercy of God.
Blessings to everyone!
