A light shone in the dark and for those who recognized Him, a radical transformation from death to life was offered. This radical transformation is called “rebirth”!

No one can understand what rebirth really means, unless you experience it firsthand!

“‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!'” (John 3:4 NIV)

Jesus’ definition of rebirth is an eye-opener: “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.'” (John 3:5 NIV)

In other words, the transformation is not done by self-imposed efforts, “Look how good I have become!” Not at all! It comes from God’s Spirit Himself.

“Born of water and the Spirit…” What does Jesus really mean by that?

The emphasis is on “the Spirit” as clearly indicated by Jesus a few verses later: “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 NIV)

Titus explains it clearly as well in Titus 3:5-6: “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.” (NIV)

Rebirth is not something we decide upon and work towards achieving. It comes from above and it only comes once we have fully accepted “the Light” in our life. Once God’s Spirit lives in us, wonders occur that no one can explain.

I was dealing with a nice lady over the Internet one day who was struggling to understand Christianity. As I was answering one of her emails, God’s Holy Spirit urged me to ask her about someone named Henry (not the actual name). I resisted the promptings at first. What if there was no Henry? She would think I am completely loco!

The promptings continued however, and when I emailed her the question, “Who is Henry?”, her world unravelled. At first she thought I was someone who lived locally, as no one else could ever have known about Henry. As she would later tell me, Henry was the local pastor’s son who bullied her for many years, and who had raped her on several occasions. No one however, not even her own mother, would believe her! How was she to believe in a God who would permit such things? But after this revelation, she knew better and she left her destiny in His hands. Interestingly, it was about that time that Henry mysteriously stopped harassing her and she became a respectable lady in her community.*

That is the power of God’s Spirit. Only He can turn our lives around for the better. Drug addicts are set free, alcoholics become dry, victory becomes the norm.

I still can vividly remember one time when I was being tempted beyond my means. The Spirit of the Lord came over me at that moment and uttered just one word: “Faith.”

“But my faith is weak Lord!” I complained. “It is smaller than a mustard seed!”

“Not your faith,” He responded. “My faith.”

Immediately a Bible text came into my mind: “Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph 6:23-24 NIV) I immediately claimed God’s faith, hung unto it and the struggle was overcome by His faith, God’s faith! Victory couldn’t have been any simpler than that!

The rebirth provided solely by God’s Spirit is that awesome! We are never again left alone in despair! He becomes a reality with the tag “victory” attached to it!

Christmas is a celebration commemorating not only Jesus’ birth on our planet, but also His mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)

You can be set free! Believe it and experience it! “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NIV)

That’s rebirth, that’s divine love!

P. S. Do you have anyone in your life named Henry? Not only can God name your individual challenges, but He can free you from them as well. This can be your Christmas gift, if you are willing to open it.

* This nice lady asked me to include the following true comment: “An individual that has had an abusive relationship with a parent can also overcome that as well!  They don’t have to repeat the cycle forever, because there’s an Individual who can set free!”

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Christmas — Rebirth!” devotional series, please click here.)