To Be Reborn

It is always exciting to see someone become a Christian. This is especially true as time goes on, and changes begin to occur in the person's life. Unfortunately, there are also times when the significance of being reborn is lost. Yes, sometimes even Christians fail to appreciate the significance of being a Christian! In the Lord’s church we should always work hard to remember the meaning, importance, and value of being reborn into Christ.

To be reborn is to be a new creation. A Christian rises out of the watery grave of baptism into newness of life (Rom 6:4-5). With this rebirth comes a great change. Old things have passed away (2 Cor 5:17). The new creation is incorruptible through adherence to God’s Holy Word (1 Peter 1:22-23). As a new creation, we have been born not just of water, but also of Spirit (John 3:3-5). We have become a new creation, born of God. 

To be reborn is to lead a new life. We know about this newness because the scriptures say the Christian has been moved from darkness to light (Col 1:13). And the word “life” is very appropriate. Rebirth means we do not continue “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1-5). We behave differently and the change is evidenced by actions. The old man of sin is put to death (Rom 6:6). We now have the promise and prospect of life eternal, given through the Lord Christ. 

To be reborn is to show a new loyalty. This is what we mean when we say someone has been converted. We often use this word in reference to units of measurement. The temperature can be converted from Celsius to Fahrenheit. This change shows a new standard is in use. For Christians, we are converted to Christ and live by His authority and His standard. With this rebirth we change from serving sin to serving God (Rom 6:16-18). We acknowledge Jesus as Supreme; our highest allegiance is to Him (Acts 2:36; 4:12; Col 1:18; Heb 1:3). 

Do you see in your life the evidence of a person reborn? To be a Christian is to be a new creation, one remade in the image of Christ (Rom 8:29-30; 12:2). The church must then lead a new life, an abundant and fruitful life (John 10:10; 15:5). Together with God’s people we hold to a new loyalty, existing as those truly converted to the name Christ (Col 3:17). Remember the words of 1 John 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” May we always aspire to God’s design for us, to be reborn.