December 25, 2022
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 NLT
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Reflecting on the birth of Jesus always seems to take me back to a time when I was working the midnight shift in Texas over 40 years ago. I had the unexpected privilege of delivering a baby because the physician did not arrive in time. It was a defining moment in my life as this lifeless baby was in my hands and I began to pray for the baby to start breathing! Yes, God answered my prayer. Thank God He was there for me. In fact, I can say that there has never been a time that God has not come through for me! Praise God for His faithfulness!
Do you often reflect back on your birth, and what your mother or father may have shared with you ~ your miracle and the gift of life? How often do you reflect on your new birth in Christ? Because of the birth of Jesus, we have new life in Christ.
What is the new birth? Jesus in his conversation with Nicodemus talked specifically about the “new birth” in John chapter 3. Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” Nicodemus a Jewish leader was puzzled and asked how anyone could re-enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time. Jesus explained in verse 5 saying, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit”
Jesus explained that this new birth is not physical, but spiritual. The new birth that we must experience in order to “see the kingdom of God” is a work of the Holy Spirit. Just as a mother does all the work in physical birth, so the Holy Spirit does all the work in the new birth. Upon our faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters our spirits, regenerates us, and begins His work of transforming us into the image of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT)
We are all born with a sin nature that separates us from our Creator. Genesis 1:27 reminds us that we were designed in God’s own image, but that image was tarnished when we fell into sin. As sinners, we cannot fellowship with a holy God the way we are. We cannot be repaired, restored, or rehabilitated. We need to be reborn.
The new birth came to free us from 1. the penalty of sin. Romans 8:1 says, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT) We are no longer are we children of wrath. The new birth frees us from 2. the power of sin. We are no longer in bondage to sin, and now we can do righteousness. Because of the new birth one day we will be free from 3. the presence of sin. When our eternal life is fulfilled, we will be like Him and without sin (Romans 8:28–30).
A FREE 
HEART Galatians 2:20, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (NLT) We can enjoy our new life in Christ because we are united with him in His death and resurrection. Our evil desires, our bondage to sin, and our love of sin died with him. Now, united by faith with him in his resurrection life, we have unbroken fellowship with God and freedom from sin’s hold on us.
FATHER GOD, Thank You for our new life in You. Hallelujah! Our old rebellious and disobedient nature was crucified and replaced with a new, loving nature. The penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. You Father God has declared us not guilty, and we need no longer live under sin’s power, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Merry Christmas