There’s something so wonderful about the feeling of NEW. Few things on Earth beat a pair of new socks, that new car smell, a new haircut, or new Play Doh (for the parents and children out there). Right now, I’m enjoying that “new year feeling”. Leaving behind the stresses and feelings of 2017, 2018 is filled with potential.
As we move into this year, many of us are dreaming of the new job, new home, or new body we will have by the end of the year. Some of us will hit our goals, many will fall short.
Paul writes this encouragement to a church facing many personal and corporate failings: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The original Greek word used for “new has come” is in a tense that does not exist in the English language, the “perfect indicative”. This tense asserts that while this has happened in the past, it has an ongoing effect. Continual newness, not our normal experience.
In the afterglow of Christmas, it’s always amazing to me how quickly the new stuff I received quickly becomes ”used”. This is not the case for those of us who are in Christ. Every moment of every day, we are continually being made forever new. What an amazing thought, that when we are in Christ, every day we wake up to newness.
You are a NEW creation. Not just once upon a time, when you first gave your life to Christ, but continually new, fresh, and clean every moment. So as pregnant with possibility 2018 may be with our new body, new job, or new apartment, our new life has already been fulfilled and given to us when we are in Jesus Christ.
As we start this new year and prepare to start a new service (on January 21), our pastoral team sincerely believes God is bringing Every Nation into a new season. Our only hope of truly starting new is through the work Christ has already accomplished in us as individuals. We are made new through His death and resurrection and the power of the Spirit.
Take a moment to remember that your sins, mistakes, regrets, and failings have been washed away. You have been made new. Thank you, Jesus!