It’s not often that New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. So in the spirit of the day let’s share a bit about something new. The newness of conversion.

Certainly Scripture affirms this great aspect of coming to Christ. Our Lord Jesus Himself spoke of conversion as being born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5).

The apostle Paul recognized this as well. Perhaps alluding to Jesus’ words in John 3 and alluding to the conversion experience, including Christian baptism, Paul wrote this to his young protégé Titus:

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” (Titus 3:3-8)

Perhaps no one understood and appreciated this great truth more than the former Saul of Tarsus, as he himself expresses on several occasions (1 Timothy 1:12-17; Philippians 3:4-14).

How about you? Have you been born again of water and the Spirit? Have you been saved—not by righteous things that you have done—but because of His mercy, through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit? Have you now committed your life to doing what is good? It’s never too late to start, or to start over.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Happy New Year!!

Happy new life!!