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The New Year, a time of rebirth

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  • Ross Cunningham •
  • Originally published January 2, 2009 at 4:50 p.m., updated January 2, 2009 at 4:50 p.m.

We have come to 2009; a new year - a time of new beginnings. We put all the mistakes of 2008 behind as we resolve that 2009 will be a better year.

Rebirth means a dying to the old and the beginning of new life. Consider the symbols of rebirth around us. The day comes to an end and darkness sets in, but the dawn breaks on a new day.

When winter comes the trees go dormant. Many growing things die and the landscape looks dreary, but in the spring, seeds sprout from those dead plants and new growth appears; the birds sing and wildflowers spring up.

John 12:24 says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit." I believe these signs have a spiritual connotation.

There are rebirths that take place among certain individuals throughout the year. It happens when the mind sorts out the priorities of life and realizes that the only things that really matter are those of eternal significance.

It happens when people come to the end of their rope and realize that their only hope will come through God's grace.

It happens when sin overwhelms and a person grasps the idea that forgiveness is available through Jesus the Savior.

The person reborn immediately gets a new "heart," which means he thinks differently and sees things in a new light.

Often these "conversions" are dramatic. Jack Murphy and a companion stole the J.P. Morgan jewel collection at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and spent 20 years in the Florida State Penitentiary. When the ministry of Chaplain Ray reached his heart with the Gospel, he resolved to make the rest of his life count.

Today, he is an assistant to Bill Glass in one of the foremost prison ministries of the world.

Alexander Solzhenitzyn came out of a Russian gulag saying "thank you prison," for in those years of confinement he sorted out what was most important in life.

Chuck Colson, the "hatchet man" for President Nixon spent time in prison for his misdeeds. It was there, again, that he had time to sort things out and after serving part of a one to three year term he formed Prison Fellowship, an International program of ministering to inmates and their families.

What a pity that it sometimes takes an illness or loss or a prison term for some people to give God due consideration.

The testimony of a rebirth through the salvation offered by Jesus Christ is that of Baptism. The reborn person is lowered beneath the baptismal waters, signifying death to the old self and then raised above the surface to signify newness of life.

We all have an opportunity to use Jan. 1 as a time of renewal. We would do well to take time to re-evaluate our past spiritual life and resolve to develop a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Raymond F. Smith is a deacon at Fellowship Bible Church in Victoria and President of Strong Families of Victoria.



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