God sustains our new birth in Christ.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal.” 
Titus 3:4 God’s Word to the Nations

I can’t imagine how long it took the person to sculpt this butterfly in ice. Every inch of this butterfly was carefully crafted.

Cripple Creek, Colorado

However, in a matter of days this new creation disappeared into a puddle of water. Maybe it started with one of its antennae falling off, or the wings drooping. However it happened, no longer exists.

Christians have used the butterfly as a symbol of the resurrection for centuries. This promise of the resurrection has worked a new birth in us, and unlike this sculpture, our new life will not melt away.

This new creation, this new birth, will last because it is based on what God has done not what we’ve done. What we bring to the table will melt like this butterfly, even as beautiful as it is. Even our best works that we bring to God will not last.

Through the mercy of God, who didn’t spare his own Son, we have been given our new birth and renewal. This is a new birth that is ours today and will last for eternity.

There are times that it might feel like we’re melting, that our faith is weakening, that we’ll never stand up to the heat of life. Just as it is the Holy Spirit who gives us this new birth, it is the Holy Spirit who sustains this new birth.

Like this butterfly, God has given you a new birth by carefully crafting you into a work of art. God’s mercy seals this work of art which endures forever.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner