A New Year and a New You!

A New Year and a New You!

At this time of year, it’s the New Year and we often take time to watch as one year passes and another comes in. We celebrate with fireworks and get togethers while making resolutions that we hope in some way will help us to become a better person. In many ways we desire to become “new” much as the year itself is renewed.

 With this thought in mind, I’m reminded of Revelation 21:5 which says, “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”I’m also reminded of Isaiah 65:17,

 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,

and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.”

 While we ourselves here on Earth often desire to be “new” or at least to be something better, it is here in these verses and many others that God reminds us that one day He will make all things “new.” The Creator and Sustainer of the Universe Himself knows that despite our best efforts there is nothing that we can do within ourselves to create something new. At best, all that we can do is to rehash what is currently there and that is not a pretty picture.
Yet, and this is the beauty of the Gospel, God “showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) It is through Christ’s death and resurrection that we are granted a new life and the transforming power that comes with it.

Indeed, one day God will create all things new. This world and all that is in it will pass away and as Isaiah says they will be remembered no more. As believers we don’t have to wait for that day because in Christ, we already are a new creation. Our old selves have died and have been buried with Christ (2 Cor 5:14-16) and we have been raised with Christ as something totally new. No longer living for us, instead rather we are raised to a “newness of life” (Rom 6:4) where we now live for Him created by His power for His glory.

Here at Mt. Holly, we hope that as the New Year unfolds that you are reminded that “in Christ” and only through Christ are you a new creation. You don’t have to wait for a New Year or some resolutions to make things better because in Christ you already are.