Friday April 22, 2022

Today is Friday, April 22 and we are exploring what the bible says about new birth in Christ.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, enlighten my heart and mind as I search the holy scriptures. God, teach me how to listen for your voice and help me understand what you are saying in my life. I am listening. Speak to me in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

In the joy of the dawning new day, I praise God with the words of Psalm 96.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. Psalm 96:1-4a

Pause and Pray

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul reveals the results of new birth in Christ. When we are dead in sin, we are blind to our desperate spiritual predicament. John Wesley, the 18th century founder of Methodism, compares justification to regeneration or new birth. Justification implies a relative change, regeneration is a real change. Justification alters our relationship to God and we become his children. New birth alters our souls and we sinners become saints. Justification restores us to the favor of God, new birth restores us to the image of God. Justification takes away the guilt of sin, new birth takes away the power of sin. (From Wesley for Armchair Theologians) In other words, in Christ, we are a new creation.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Jesus Christ displayed his love for me on the cross, he died for all, he died for me. Jesus was buried in the tomb and he was raised from death. His love compels me to no longer live for myself and pursue my selfish desires. I choose to die to my old life and live primarily and solely for Christ. The human point of view about Christ is that he was unjustly put to death as a criminal and remembered as a good man with moral teachings. Those who believe know the crucified Christ is the risen Lord of all; he is head of a new creation into which I am now incorporated. Because I am in Christ, I am a new creation. Yes, praise God, the old has gone, the new is here!

Ask: How have I experienced the works of justification and new birth in my life? What evidence can I point to that there has been real change in my soul?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for your love for me poured out on the cross of Calvary. Your compelling love is beyond compare. I renounce the selfish life I once lived and seek to live for you. I believe in who you are and have utter faith in your truth. May I be a new creation in your love. I read the words from 2 Corinthians again and listen for the message you have for me.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider the emotions this passage evokes in me – do I feel doubt, concern and fear or do I feel love, joy and anticipation? Perhaps God is trying to reveal the next steps on my spiritual journey – to find forgiveness of sin, receive justification, gain the new birth, be changed in holiness, transformed in righteousness, begin or continue a lifelong journey of sanctifying grace. Maybe God wants to point out where I am still living for myself and looking at things from a worldly point of view. Perhaps God wants me to see where I am holding onto the old life and resisting the new life he has for me.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I invite you into my heart and life. Expose whatever is in me that needs to die and allow it to wither away. May the old be done and gone. Reveal how I can truly and fully live for Jesus who died out of love for me and promises me abundant life with him. May the new come to fruition and be made whole in me. Amen.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

As I leave this time of prayer, I go as a new creation born into a living hope to joyfully love and serve a lost and troubled world.

Amen