Once again we find ourselves in a new year! It’s amazing to think that we are living approximately 2018 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s Son! God’s Word contains several scriptures about new things that I have really enjoyed. I hope you do too:
The Lord Jesus spoke of a new commandment in the book of John that we are to love one another even as He has loved us.
What a commandment! Up until this time the law demanded a behavior system of people giving basically an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Matthew 5:38-48). There wasn’t a lot of room for grace, mercy, and forgiveness with such a law!
However, on the other hand, valuing others and showing care towards them in deed and in truth, more so than one’s self, is an impossible way to live—without God’s spirit dwelling inside.
If the new birth never takes place in your life, you remain guilty before God and helpless to obey this beautiful commandment, every day as a way of life (John 3:3).
Thankfully, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior enables you to become a new creation! The old things and habits that happened because of our sinful nature pass away and all things become new for the believer (2 Corinthians 5:17)! New desires that are pleasing to God become our practice, because He takes away the heart of stone and gives the believer a new heart (Ezekial 36:20).
When a person has been saved through faith alone in Christ’s finished work at the cross, he or she begins to sing a new song that lasts forever! Gone are the sad, sorry, filthy songs that used to be sung and in come the praise and worship songs, magnifying God’s goodness to you and His greatness as the Almighty! Isaiah 42:10, tells us to: “Sing to the Lord a new song, sing His praise from the end of the earth!”
The believer has a new hope that is not found in this world, nor can it ever be (1Peter 1:3-6). We look forward to an inheritance that is kept in Heaven for us, who are shielded by God’s power! We know that this old earth and its empty ways are not going to last, but rather we long for a new heaven and a new earth, which God promises for those who have been born into His family (Revelation 21, John 1:12). Until this time comes, we enjoy God’s mercies, which are new every morning! His steadfast love never ceases, great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Have you been born again? Have you started to walk a new path with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, may this verse be a help to you: “He that has the Son, has this new life, He that doesn’t have the Son, does not have this life. These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:12-13, paraphrase).
Becky Kew shares Good News at Sandy Bay First Nation, Manitoba, Canada. BeckyKew@outlook.com
