New in Christ

Therefore if any person is [engrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (2Corinthians 5:17, AMP)

            The year 2012 was a great year for some people. For others, 2012 was a year of heartache and difficulty. Some received answered prayers, favor, and blessings. On the other hand, others made bad decisions and forgot to keep God first in their lives. However, the New Year is quickly approaching. It is a time to celebrate another year we made it through and reached another holiday season in our right minds. It is also a time to reflect on the wrongful decisions and moves that we have made. This is not to beat ourselves up, but to learn from the error of our ways going forward. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. We gain wisdom from our mistakes.

            With that said, 2012 is passing away. It’s passing away with all its frustrations, cares, mistakes, bad relationships, hurts, and disappointments. Many of us are blessed with the opportunity to see another year. The year 2013 is an opportunity for a new beginning. This is the time to have hope and use your faith to make things happen for yourself. What is that thing that is pressing on your heart that you must accomplish? If you want to go back to school, go back. Do you want to write a book? Write it. Thinking of starting your own business, then do it.

           The time is now. The bible says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15-17, NJKV). Redeem the time. Time that you could have used to do something major you wasted it. More time has been given to you to accomplish your goals. Again I say, redeem the time. For some of us this means seeking a deeper relationship with God. For others it means finally making the decision to put God first in your lives. God should be first in our hearts, finances, relationships, and decision-making. If you would “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP).

            The New Year is a chance to become new in Christ. “…leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NCV).

            You can become new in your thinking, your attitude, and in your heart. God Himself can do this through His word. So “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV). Talking to God in prayer, reading His Word, and hearing the Word are the best ways to become new in Christ. Make a New Year’s resolution to seek God truly in your heart. Decide to turn away from all the things and relationships that detach you from God. There are attitudes, mentalities, and habits that God wants us to get rid of. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32, NKJV).

Jesus gave up and accomplished so much for us. What will you give up and accomplish for Him in 2013?