Thankfully, our God is also keenly aware of this fact. His word says in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (NKJV) This is great news! We don’t have to wait for the first of January to roll around each year to feel this newness. If you are in Christ, you ARE new, every minute of every day. A “completely new creation” it says! Sadly, we don’t always live out this truth. We forget we have been made new and revert to old ways of life complete with old habits and old emotions. We don’t allow the power of the Holy Spirit within us to guard our minds, grab our hearts and guide our steps. So, as we begin anew in 2018, remind yourself (if you need to) that you ARE a new creation.
Not only are you
new, but God’s compassions toward you are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 says “Because of the
LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are
new every morning; great is your
faithfulness.” (NIV) Even though we
become a new creation, we are not perfect.
We mess up; sometimes daily. The Lord will not get frustrated with you and give up
on you. His supply of patience, love,
forgiveness and mercy is never-ending and that is a reason to rejoice! So, as you start 2018, remind yourself (if you need to) that you are loved unconditionally.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on
the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I
am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. I, even I, am he who blots out your
transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:19-20, 25 (NIV) We can and should learn from our
past. However, as believers who have
been made new in Christ, we cannot dwell there.
We have to move on. We have a
brand new year in front of us and it is full of possibilities! Remind yourself (if you need to) that
you are forgiven and set free to live abundantly today; not shackled in
yesterday. My prayer for you today as you begin 2018 is taken from Ephesians 3:16-21 (NIV). I can’t say it better than the apostle Paul: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
My dear friend, don’t let this be a brand new year with the same old you. Don't make resolutions that only modify your behavior. Make resolutions that produce a change of heart. Remember what Christ has done for you and resolve this year to live as the new creation that you are. I’m going to do the same!
