A New Year… A New Beginning

“The Former Things Are Passed Away… I Make All Things New”

 

 

 

A new beginning.  For many of us, this is one of the greatest desires in our lives.  We look back and see mistakes that were made; sins that were committed; and hurt, pain, and loss that cannot be undone. Our only hope is for a new beginning.

But for many of us, apart from Christ, there is no real hope for a new beginning.  We understand that the effects things we have done, and things that were done to us, will continue to affect us as long as we are alive. And then, once our life comes to an end, there is absolutely no reason to believe that our condition will improve in anyway.

If we believe the record of the Bible, those without Christ can only expect a much worse experience after death than what was experienced here on earth.   Ephesians 2:12 summarizes their condition in a very concise way when it says that a person without Christ is “having no hope, and without God in the world”.

But the story does not end there, all who have Christ, have the hope of a new beginning.  A new beginning while yet on the earth, and a new beginning that will begin, and last, throughout eternity. What a wonderful blessing that the Lord has given to each one of us… the ability to have a totally new beginning that will remake us, lead us from the error of our ways, and erase all our regrets and sufferings for an eternity!

 

THE SCRIPTURES:

2 Corinthians 5:17 & Revelation 21:3-5

 

THE STUDY:

In the following texts, we can see the promise of a new beginning given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our first text addresses a new beginning that can be had while yet on the earth.  In our second text, we can see a new beginning that will be received, and will last, throughout eternity.  In both of these texts one principle is constant, the presence of Christ in the life of the recipient… 

 

 

2Co 5:17 KJV

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are told that “if any man be IN CHRIST”…. he has a new beginning: he HAS BECOME A NEW CREATURE while yet on earth…. 

In other words, a man has Christ is given a new existence while yet on earth.  He is given spiritual life and renewal, a new source of strength, a new set of desires, and a new heart of love for His Lord and others around him.

Although he will still feel the past effects of sin in his life, now he has One upon which he can lean, One upon which he can receive guidance, and One by which he can be comforted.  He truly has become a new creature in Christ, eternally loved by his Heavenly Father, forgiven through the shed blood of Christ, possessing a life revolutionized by the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Rev 21:3-5 KJV

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

In Revelation 21:3-5, we are told that the people of God… they have a new beginning: they WILL POSSESS A NEW EXISTENCE throughout eternity. 

In other words, those who have Christ experience a new type of existence that far surpasses anything they have experienced on this sinful world.  They will enjoy the physical presence of their Lord, they will have all causes of sorrow, pain, suffering, and death taken away, they will enjoy a new heavens and new earth that has not been touched by sin, nor corrupted by the workings of Satan.

 

 

THE SUMMARY: 

As the Old Year passes away and the New Year begins, may it be a reminder of the new beginning that is promised to those who are in Christ.  Just as the Old Year is gone, never to be revisited… so too, the portion of our life that has been lived never to be changed.  Just as the New Year has arrived, awaiting us with open arms … so too, we have received an invitation to begin a new life in Christ.

By forsaking our past sins, failures, and rebellion and turning to Christ accepting Him as Lord and Savior by faith, accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, any one of us can receive a new beginning now, and throughout eternity.  This is the key to living a life that is filled with joy and glory now, and throughout eternity!

 

1Pe 1:3-8 KJV –
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

 

 

May the Lord bless you as you seek His truth.

 

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Settled In Heaven Ministries Home On The Web: http://www.settledinheaven.org

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Email Us At: settledinheaven@gmail.com

 

May the Lord bless your study of His Word.  Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”