Beginning Anew

Each year, New Year’s Day brings with it the opportunity to begin anew.  Some people make resolutions but find that those resolutions soon fall by the wayside.  When that happens there is a sense of defeat and maybe even a little sadness. However, the New Year is a new opportunity for us to make our lives count.  So even though we are already into the new year it would be appropriate to ask the question, “how can I make my life count during this new year?"  Here are three suggestions:

1)    Make sure that everything you do points to God.  This is the challenge in the Bible that the Apostle Paul suggests when he says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).  Our emphasis should be on God and the things we do should be pleasing to Him.

2)    Focus on godly thoughts, words and actions.  This should be a driving force in our lives every day.  God should be central in our minds but also in our words and the actions we take.  The Apostle Paul also said, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Speech most effectively expresses what is inside the believer. Our speech should mirror God’s character and conduct through love, patience and sacrifice.

3)    Live so people will be drawn to God.  When we live as a reflection of God’s light and concern ourselves with loving people, they will be able to see the glory of Christ in us and be drawn to God.  The Bible tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  The ultimate goal is not just good deeds, but to help people be attracted to our Lord.

Even though we are into the month of January it is not too late to use this New Year as an opportunity to begin anew.  Focus on thinking, speaking and acting in accordance with God’s name, and constantly let the indwelling Christ be reflected to those around you.

 

New Beginnings

Once January 1^st rolls around, we experience the beginning of a new year and a new month.  Have you ever thought about things that have new beginnings?  In addition to the year and the month, every week has a new beginning; every day has two new beginnings – one in the morning and one in the afternoon; and every hour and minute has a new beginning.  There is the beginning of a new job, the beginning of school, the beginning of a relationship, the beginning of a meal, the beginning of a fast, the beginning of losing weight, the beginning of new resolutions, and on and on the new beginnings go.  Even the Bible speaks about a new beginning – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).  With the click of a computer key in an electronic Bible you will discover 90 New International Version verses containing the word “beginning”. The following five verses suggest some things that could be a new beginning for you.

1)    New Birth.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3).  We can experience new birth by being born into God’s family when we put our trust in Christ as our savior from sin.

2)    New Life.  “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).  Once we experience new birth we are able to live the new life that God intended.

3)    New Command.  “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).  With new life we walk to the beat of a different drum and not only experience God’s love for us, but are able to share His love with others.

4)    New Song.  “And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain and with your blood youpurchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).  Everything that is new about our life ends up with a joyful song coming forth from our lips – even praise and adoration to our God.

5)    New Creation.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (II Corinthians 5:17).  The Apostle Paul is quick to note that when we personally receive Christ everything that is old about our life has been done away with and we become completely new through and through.

As you enter the New Year, rejoice in the fact that God has brought you to another year.  But also evaluate your life to make sure you have experienced all the new things that God would have you enjoy.  By His Spirit, when you put your trust in Christ for your salvation from sin, you will become a new creation and then have opportunity to “Tell the people the full message of this new life” (Acts 5:20).