The Miracle of New Life in Jesus Christ

Getting to Know the Person of Jesus Christ

Salvation Is a Miraculous Change

Someone once said to me, “I know plenty of people who say they’re saved, but they’re doing the same things I do—and some are doing worse.” And it’s true—many people wrestle with that observation. They wonder, What’s the point of salvation if nothing seems different? If I’ll keep doing the same things and feeling the same way, why do I need to be saved?

But here’s the truth: salvation does cause a miraculous change. It is more miraculous than anything we could ever imagine, because through Jesus Christ we are rescued from eternal death and transferred into eternal life. This change isn’t based on emotions or surface-level feelings—it is anchored in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation means accepting God’s forgiveness in our hearts, possible only because Christ died on the cross for the remission of our sins. He sacrificed His life so we could be saved from hell and live free.

Our Rescue Through Christ

Jesus Christ accomplished His mission because God chose and empowered Him to do so. Colossians 1:13–14 (NLT) declares, “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” This is rescue on the highest level. Look at the brokenness of our world, the pain in people’s eyes, and the dysfunction around us—it’s clear we desperately needed saving.

Many today are hurting while hiding behind a smile. They laugh on the outside but cry on the inside. They juggle one problem only to uncover two or three more beneath it. The layers of chaos feel endless, the confusion unbearable. This is the weight of a world without peace. And into that world, Jesus Christ comes offering Himself—not just as a solution, but as a Savior, Lord, and Friend.

A Friend Like No Other

Jesus said in John 15:13 (NLT), “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s exactly what He did. He willingly gave His life, not because someone took it from Him, but because He loved us enough to do so. In John 10:18 (NLT), He says, “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

This is love beyond comprehension. Jesus chose the cross because there was no other way for humanity to be freed from sin, despair, and death. If we could have rescued ourselves, His sacrifice would not have been necessary. But we couldn’t. We were caught in a vicious cycle of sin and pain—and He broke it once and for all.

He Is Our Redeemer

We didn’t choose God first—He chose us. Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) reminds us, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” That means nothing about you surprises Him. He knows every secret, every weakness, every regret—and He still chose you. That’s love.

Romans 3:23 (NLT) makes it plain: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” None of us can stand before God on our own righteousness. That’s why He sent His Son, so that in Christ we are clothed in His righteousness. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, humanity was under a curse of spiritual darkness. But Galatians 3:13–14 (NIV) declares the good news: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us… He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Jesus purchased us back with His life and broke the curse.

The Spirit of New Life

The Holy Spirit is God’s seed planted in us when we are born again. To be born again is to receive spiritual life—to be made alive in Christ. Romans 10:9–10 (NLT) says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

This is where transformation happens. When you declare Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart, you are no longer dead in sin—you are alive to God. Salvation is not a surface change; it is the miracle of being raised to new life in Christ.

Reflection and Soul Work

Have I been living with a shallow view of salvation, or do I truly believe Jesus has rescued me from death to life?
Where in my life do I need to embrace Jesus as Friend, Redeemer, and Lord?
How am I allowing the Holy Spirit to transform me from the inside out?

Prayer

Dear Father God, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to rescue me from darkness and bring me into Your marvelous light. Forgive me for the times I’ve taken salvation lightly or forgotten the miracle You’ve done in me. Jesus, I recognize You as more than a teacher, more than an example—you are my Lord, my Redeemer, and my Friend. Teach me to walk in the fullness of new life, to surrender daily, and to trust in the Spirit You have placed within me. Transform me so that my life reflects Your glory. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

| Tags: Christian devotions, Christian encouragement, God’s Love, Growing in Christ, Learning about Jesus Christ, Spiritual lessons, Your Relationship with God