New Beginnings

In various aspects of life, particularly following a failure, we often can have the opportunity to begin anew with the prospect of a more favourable outcome. However, Adam and Eve were not given a second chance to start over and obey God’s command not to eat the forbidden fruit – the consequence of that original sin continues to affect us all (Gen 2:16,17, 3:3). In contrast, the Israelites repeatedly rebelled against God over the same key issues. After divine discipline and repentance, they returned to follow His ways for a period before repeating the cycle (eg Jdg 2:11-19). Do I have a similar repetitive fluctuating Christian walk of obedience, rebellion, and obedience? Deep sincere repentance breaks this rotation.

In His grace, God doesn’t wipe His hands of us after we sin but forgives when we repent and return to Him with fellowship restored. While He forgives confessed sin, there will still be the natural outcomes to face when we make a blunder (1 Jn 1:9). Our past

Thank God for His patience with us

contributes to the current situation with each prior experience leaving behind either residual detrimental emotional baggage or beneficial blessing.

The terms being born again, new creation and new birth relate to coming into salvation and are expressed as, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (Jn 3:3; 2 Cor 5:15,17; 1 Pet 1:3). God does not simply clean up our old nature; He creates something entirely fresh and unique, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek 36:26). David echoed this when he prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps 51:10). Experiencing the new birth is only the beginning of our ongoing relationship with Him. Until the day when we see Him face to face God continues to work in us to present to Himself a holy people (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:27; Phil 1:6, 2:13). As believers, we must recognise our old sinful nature has died with Christ, and we no longer live for ourselves but are to “walk in newness of life” as we allow the Spirit to renew our thoughts, attitudes and actions (Rom 6:4; Eph 4:23). This requires a real change of heart and mindset, not that we can re-create ourselves anew but only surrender to His Lordship and the transforming of our inner being (Rom 12:2). Although we still sin, this is unwillingly and will reduce as we mature for we are no longer a slave to sin, as we formerly were but have the choice not to “let sin rule in our bodies” (Rom 6:6,7,11,12). Continually we must “put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24; Col 3:9).

Rather than attempting a patch-up repair in your strength, why not invite God to lead you into wholeness and His purposes? If you feel stuck in a rut, emotionally stagnant lacking motivation for everyday tasks and needing to change what are you doing about it?

At the end of the world as we know it God’s words “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” will be reality (Isa 65:17; Rev 21:5).

We must anchor our trust in the Lord and seek Him continually as we navigate the various challenges, especially in each new chapter or season of life, be it school, employment, relationships, marriage, retirement, or living solo.

Each successive year can be viewed as another chance to improve (a reset or arrange differently) in the areas where we lacked yet maintain the advancements made in other areas. It’s common to have a heightened

What will I do differently this time?

sense of excitement and expectation at the start of a new year – a substantial transition on the calendar with many deciding on ambitious plans for self-improvement. Generally, these New Year’s resolutions (such as eating less, exercising more, praying more) soon fade into the background once the novelty of the new year passes. Over time, we may find it difficult to hold to the goals and declarations made with initial enthusiasm. Achieving positive behavioural change requires motivation, self-discipline, and a commitment to maintaining good habits.

Yet the ‘newness of Christ’ is not connected to a specific timeline or date on the calendar but linked to a loving Saviour who is alive and always the same (Heb 13:8). This means there is a constant outpouring of newness available to us for our daily lives if we connect to Him, the source (Jn 5:40). Paul said, “Our inner person is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16). Our life in Christ isn’t about looking back and trying to hold on to a commitment we made in the past to follow Him but looking to Him in the present and receiving new life daily, conducting ourselves in a God-honouring way (Phil 1:27).

We can consider each new day a fresh occasion of His mercies being lavished on us (Lam 3:23). If we failed in some areas yesterday, be assured we will be tested again (and again!!).

While the future remains uncertain, we can with confidence place ourselves in His care and trust Him to outwork His purposes. Concentrate on progressing towards those goals and aspirations rather than focusing on past events we can’t alter but certainly learn from – what to repeat and

Now is a good time to re-evaluate our walk with God

what not to. By releasing the past and striving for what lies ahead, we will achieve success and fulfilment as we cooperate with Him (Isa 41:10; Jer 29:11; Phil 3:13,14, 4:13).

Life does not revolve around the anticipation and excitement of new beginnings but the repetitive and mundane routines. However, as we diligently carry out our responsibilities, knowing God requires loyalty and obedience to His revealed will, we should experience a renewed sense of purpose and gain new insights from our study of the Word of God (Ps 119:105). Having a sense of holy discontent or dissatisfaction with our present spiritual position is admirable. Yet in our efforts to advance, we must respect divine boundaries and our conscience for it is during periods of monotony, that there will be the temptation to challenge moral and ethical restrictions in search of excitement.

It is beneficial to keep up to date with new techniques and advances as fresh creative alternative solutions evolve in many areas of life that increase efficiency and address the limitations of previous systems and methods. Even tried and proven ways can be enhanced through further innovation. New approaches have been developed through research and development in many areas of life, yet the way to enter heaven remains the same. The conditions have stayed consistent throughout the centuries and are encapsulated in Christ’s words, “Repent (turn from sin) and believe the good news” (Mk 1:15; Jn 14:6).