Colossians 1:13
[13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
This time of year we see that the weather has taken on a more subdued stance and we enjoy the warmth of the sun as the snow melts. We see the grass is becoming greener and the trees are budding. The spring florals are popping up out of the ground with force as they bring color to our colorless scenery of the last four to five months. It’s a time for the birth or hatching of the animals that have spent the winter months nesting just waiting for the younglings to care for to make their appearance. With all of the newness of life have you ever considered that it is also a great time for the renewal of life for us as well?
When you read the above passage did you realize that the gift the Lord has given us through the death of His son Jesus Christ is a gift that is reflective of a new birth? A new birth that is unmatched on this earth.
Each year, as we celebrate this gift, we are given the opportunity to reach out to others to share in this gift of life. A renewal and new birth of an individual who is lost in sin and lost to death. If you are asking as so many do, how can one go through a new birth? Let’s take a look at what scripture says and what the Lord has taught us about this very topic.
John 3:1-15
You Must Be Born Again
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
[9] Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” [10] Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. [14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Understanding that the Lord our God through his Son Jesus Christ has saved sinners from that which they have been born into, is not for the faint of heart. It was not a beautiful sight for those who were present in seeing the bloody and gory death of Jesus, yet the burden he took on for sinners was glorious. Only a holy almighty God could do such a thing.
God saw His creation and being all knowing, knew that we needed a savior to lead mankind out of death and into an eternal life with Him.
John 3:16-21
For God So Loved the World
[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. [21] But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Full of hope and full of love for one another, God’s flock has an opportunity to turn away from the evil of this world and turn toward Him. The opportunity to help lead others out of darkness to a life of everlasting eternal life in a kingdom of grace with our savior. Is there anything more glorious at this time of year than knowing that new life could mean a life saved for eternity?
I challenge each of you to consider the blessing and incredible gift that we have been given, and share the good news of the gospel truth with those who need a renewed life. A rebirth from darkness of the world to the kingdom of light.
Perhaps also be reminded that believers also need to be encouraged and what a more perfect time to do so. While the earth renews with life in spring, let us renew our faith and share it’s beauty with others.
God be with you all friends.
