Devotion 07 October 2026
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5: 17
READING: John 3: 1-21
It is easy to reduce faith to a system of ideas that we simply have to accept and obey. It is easy to make salvation nothing more than praying the right prayer. But, if we do this, we rob ourselves of the true power and value of faith. A transforming faith changes our very lives and gives us a new way of thinking.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who had been impressed by Jesus's teachings. In John 3 we read that he visited Jesus secretly, at night, to discuss His teachings. He acknowledges that he believes that Jesus is a teacher who has come from God. Jesus replies: "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"(v3). Then follows a conversation with Nicodemus about the meaning of being "born again" or "born from above".
The faith that leads to new birth, which Jesus offered to Nicodemus, is a transforming encounter with a God who leads us into a whole new world. It is as radical a change as is the transformation of a baby enclosed in the womb to a baby living, breathing and growing in the world.
A faith like this means we see things differently. We see a world turned upside down; the world of God’s reign, where the meek inherit the earth, and the humble and the peace makers are the recipients of God’s presence and grace. We find ourselves recognising Christ in those we would normally shun, and we begin to care about issues that we would normally ignore. We see a world where we all have a part to play, where no one is insignificant to God’s plan.
Ultimately believing does not happen in our heads alone, but in our whole being, in every aspect of our lives. What an exciting journey, knowing that we can be changed, that we can see the world in a new and fresh light, that we can, in small but significant ways, touch the least and the lost with grace and compassion, and seek to make the world a more hopeful, celebratory, and gracious place.
Prayer
Jesus, I choose to follow You. Thank you that the old is behind me and the new has come. Show me how I can serve You. In Jesus name, Amen
