The New Year brings a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. There is a clean slate for goals to be set, resolutions to be made, and new plans to be established. Many people are prepared for new lifestyle changes that they hope will bring them more stability and joy. The Bible speaks of new things that each of us should look forward to as well. In 2022, let each of us be on the lookout for these new things and be excited about sharing them with others.
New Mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23)- The new mercies that God extends will be present in the new year. God’s forgiveness, second chances, and compassion toward humanity is readily available each day (Exod. 34:6-7). In the New Year we should be expecting to encounter God’s new mercies daily. As many are looking for a fresh start, the ultimate fresh start comes from God who gives us a clean slate on a daily basis (Heb. 8:12). God’s new mercies give us reason to hope in him and to persevere (Lam. 3:24).
New Birth (John 3:3-5)- Jesus said that if we want to enter the kingdom of God we must be born again of the water and the Spirit. The new birth is something that many individuals will experience in the new year as they hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and desire to be saved (1 Pet. 1:22-25). The new birth can take place at any time of the year as Jesus’ saving message is received and obeyed. The new birth is culminated in one being baptized for the forgiveness of sins and rising to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:3-5). May we encourage as many people as we can to experience the new birth in the New Year and be ready to help those who do to continue to walk in the light (1 John 1:7).
New Man (Ephesians 4:22-24)- The old man is described as one that is corrupt according to the sin that dominated our lives before conversion. We are to put on the new man which is created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. The new man takes on new desires and new habits. The old man was known for lying (Eph. 4:25), anger (Eph. 4:26), stealing (Eph. 4:28), foolish and corrupt speech (Eph. 4:29), and bitterness (Eph. 4:31). The new man is dominated by the Spirit of God and produces fruit consistent with God’s Spirit. In the new year may our lives be marked by the Spirit of God as we have put on the new man and continue to live the transformed life God desires of each of us.
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