“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (v.17)
Beginning a new year is always a time of reflection. Looking back over the past and resolving to make changes in the future. Generally those changes center around something we would like to improve upon or a habit we would like to change. People often take stock of their lives and vow to; become a better person, stop drinking or doing drugs, become a better husband or wife, loose weight.
These are all good and noble resolutions. The problem is, most of us just can’t break our old habits or nature, in our own power. We are a product of thousands of decisions, made in our own free will over time. Each decision, has strengthen us into the person we are and has hardened us into our current state. We need help - We need to be freed up - We need, forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Paul also tells us in Ephesians 5:17-24 that being a new creation, we should, “no longer desire to involve ourselves in the former conduct but, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.”
Meaning, no matter what we have done, no matter how bad we have messed up, God will forgive us. We can then move forward into a new beginning in Christ, through His Word and guided by His Spirit, renewed, putting on the "new man"and saying goodbye to the old. Happy New Year!
The Truth
“For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
