New You Born Again
by PJ Salas
"… if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creature. Old things have passed away; and behold, all things have become new." 2Corinthians 5:17.
Approaching New Year
A new year approaches and wondrous things lie ahead; time to let go of that which is behind, and to reach for what is ahead. Time for new plans, and to develop fresh strategies, implementing them with a positive outlook, and hope for a bright future. This is the re-creation experience; it is what happens when we become a new creature in Christ, recreated in Jesus, born again. (2Co5:17;Jn3:3).
Future With God
The Lord has plans for us, once we decide to let go of the past and let Him have our future. He develops fresh strategies for our lives, and fosters great expectation in us through His beloved Son Jesus, who died that we may have a future and a hope. (Jeremiah29:11)
Recreated in Christ
When we decide to follow Jesus and His ways, through Him transformation begins in us, and hope for our future infuses us. The Lord goes right to work; He does not squander a moment. Sometimes it may seem that He is delaying, that He does not hear, or that He has forgotten us; but this is not true.
God is constant on our behalf, always occupied in recreating us, shaping, and molding us into a wholesome and upright person, if we will let Him. Sometimes what seems like a delay is God cultivating patience and other sterling qualities in us.
Focused Faith
It is important to be mindful of our objectives, in all aspects of life and living, and this is most especially true in becoming a restored creation in Jesus. If we lose our focus, we can become disappointed. When setbacks come, and when attacks from the evil one knock us down, discouragement can set in. Carefulness and diligence is necessary.
When Christ faced the daunting work of saving us, His focus remained on what it was He came to do, which was and is, to deliver us from sin, and to give us hope and a future. Jesus came that we may have faith to live without sin through Him, courage to be the person God intends us to be, and plans for our future home with Him eternally. (John14:1-3)
Our Example
The Bible tells us, when Jesus was facing the cross, the final step in saving us, He was so overwhelmed He sweat drops of blood resisting the temptation to forget His purpose, and let it all go. (Luke22:44)
Jesus in His darkest hour resisted the discouragement and pressed on toward His objective to save us. He is our example in all things.
Depend On Jesus
Christ always turned to the Father for help in accomplishing His purposes. As He depended on the heavenly Father for help, so we depend on Him for our help. He gives us strength (Philippians4:13), and He upholds us.
Jesus helps us let the past go, and to stretch forward to an upright and wholesome person, who in the end will inherit all things good, and will live eternally in righteousness and true beauty. (Revelation21:7).
Resolute
In facing a new year, face it with Jesus; and resolve to continue in your purpose of being recreated in Him. Be like Christ and press toward the mark of the prize of our high calling in Him (Philippians3:14), living the truly good life, being ever mindful of our future hope with Jesus.
Fresh Start
If you have not given your life to Jesus, this is an excellent opportunity to surrender to Him, and to be recreated and transformed in Christ. It is a good time to start your journey of faith that will carry you into an eternal future of goodness.
If you are already walking with Jesus, invigorate and fortify your commitment to Him; renewing your confidence in Him, with a fresh outlook that continues to lay hold on your better you, and your eternal home.
Cling to Jesus
May the coming year, and all the years to come, find you in the arms of Jesus, ever swaddled in His loving embrace. May you continually grasp His strength and cling tightly to Him. Hold on to your future, tenacious and unrelenting in pursuit of your regeneration in Christ.
Stay the course, urgent in purpose, unyielding in faith to all that would distract and take you away from your journey to the future.
Beloved of the Lord
You are beloved of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loves you deeply and dearly, with an abiding love that will not let you go. Affix yourself to Him, don’t let go. Never stop believing in Jesus, and in His love for you, for to the one who believes, all things are possible. (Mk9:23)
Into the Future
Old things are passing away; let Jesus make all things new in you. Be recreated and transformed in Christ. "…if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creature. Old things have passed away; and behold, all things have become new." 2Corinthians 5:17.
Visit our How to Become a Christian page, and contact us for help in committing your life to Jesus. We can help.
