Carl Bard once said, “Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” I appreciate what he said and think there is some merit to it. However, there is a spiritual sense in which he was wrong.
Jesus told Nicodemus, “…Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NKJV). A man dead in sin is buried in a watery grave through baptism, like Christ was buried. He is then raised to live a new life (Ephesians 2:1; Romans 6:3-4).
Paul explained to Titus that all Christians once lived a life of disobedience. God showed His kindness to all men by sending Jesus to be the Savior. Salvation is gained “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:3-5).
Christians are united with Christ in the burial of baptism. We are also united in living a new life when raised from that watery grave. The old man of sin is buried in baptism. A slave who dies is no longer under the power of his master. One who dies to sin is similarly freed from the old master of sin (Romans 6:5-7).
We can join Paul in joyfully saying, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Each of us can spiritually make a brand-new start!
