Devotions: My Spiritual Birthday!

For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.

2 Corinthians 7:8-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

August 5^th was the 19^th anniversary of my salvation! You could say it was my spiritual birthday, for 19 years ago I was born again. I remember that day well; it was Sunday, sitting in our little church just weeks after I had attempted suicide. These verses were part of the sermon that day, the only part I remember because they were the ones that brought me to repentance. I realized that I had been running away from God. I had been living my own way and had not surrendered my life to Him even though I was raised in the church and believed everything in the Bible. My heart was still my own. But that day it changed. I gave my heart and my life to Christ, realizing that He was the only answer. Before that time, my sin and suffering caused me grief because I realized I wasn’t perfect. I felt like a hypocrite. Yet it was not the kind of sorrow that led to repentance. It was only regret and shame. That day it all changed. Instead of being burdened with guilt and shame, I turned to God. I surrendered my life, imperfect as it was, to Him and devoted my life to becoming more like Him, to living for Him instead of myself. That is the kind of sorrow Paul is talking about in these verses; the kind that leads to conviction and repentance rather than shame and regret. When we are convicted, we should feel sorrow over what we have done which motivates us to change, to turn to God for forgiveness and turn away from our sin. That is repentance. Have you repented? Have you given your life to Christ? When is your spiritual birthday?

 

You can read more about my salvation and walk with God on the “My Story” tab.

 

 

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