Pastor Colin Smith continues his Christmas season devotional to help you reflect on Jesus’ glory by taking a broad look at all that God has promised and accomplished in Him. The readings follow the pattern of his sermon series, “The Plan: God’s Design For the Universe and Your Place In It.” You can read, hear or watch these sermons as they are posted at Unlocking the Bible.
What happens when the Holy Spirit delivers God’s promise in the life of a person who repents and believes in Jesus? This week, we’re looking at the sweep of God’s redeeming work in a human life. It begins with regeneration.
When God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was “formless and empty.” A dark, watery chaos.
The Spirit of God hovered over the waters (Gen. 1:2). God spoke light into darkness and brought life to the world. From the dark, watery chaos, God formed the beauty of the earth.
John tells us that the same Spirit of God, who hovered over the darkness is like a wind blowing into human lives (John 3:8). He gives light to people who cannot see Christ’s glory and brings new life to people who are dead towards God (2 Cor. 4:4, Eph 2:1).
Regeneration means that you have new life. The Spirit gives birth to spirit (John 3:6). When the Holy Spirit regenerates you, He changes your soul so that with a new mind and a new heart you love God, trust Him and follow Him freely. Behind all believing lies this miracle of God’s regenerating grace.
The interface of regeneration and faith is a mystery that should lead you to worship. God’s children are known, and distinguished, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. “To all who received Him, to those who believed on His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John1:12).
But why have you believed when others did not? Why did you come to faith when you did, and not before or after?
Your faith is a reflection of regeneration. God opened your eyes to see the glory of Christ. The Holy Spirit hovered over the dark chaos of your life and made you a new creation in Christ.
Do you see that God has done something amazing in your soul, giving you new life from above? God has given you a new heart. He has put His Spirit in you. He has given you new birth into living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Rejoice in this today.
Free eBook by Rebecca McLaughlin: ‘Jesus Through the Eyes of Women’
If the women who followed Jesus could tell you what he was like, what would they say?
Jesus’s treatment of women was revolutionary. That’s why they flocked to him. Wherever he went, they sought him out. Women sat at his feet and tugged at his robes. They came to him for healing, for forgiveness, and for answers. So what did women see in this first-century Jewish rabbi and what can we learn as we look through their eyes today?
In Jesus Through the Eyes of Women, Rebecca McLaughlin explores the life-changing accounts of women who met the Lord. By entering the stories of the named and unnamed women in the Gospels, this book gives readers a unique lens to see Jesus as these women did and marvel at how he loved them in return.
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