A New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Today is the first day of a brand new year! Whatever happened last year is now in the past. Today is the beginning of a fresh new start!

As we go through life, years change. Seasons change. We have birthdays that mark another year that we've been alive. With each change, there is usually lots of excitement as we approach something "new." We celebrate on New Year's Eve to bring in the new year. We celebrate birthdays. We generally make a big deal out of these days.

There is another day we need to celebrate! When we give our heart to the Lord and make Jesus our personal Savior, this is cause for a huge celebration! When we become a Christian, we are a new creation! Whatever happened prior to that time is in the past forever. Whatever we did or whatever happened in our lives does not matter. We are completely forgiven. Our sins are removed from us and remembered no more. God washes us clean and we are made brand new! Now isn't that cause for celebration?!

We can stop worrying about what once was. It is over. From this day forward we can walk in newness of life. We can experience the abundant life God has for us. His mercies are new every day. As we start each new day, it's a brand new start with Him! He gives us strength and wisdom to go throughout our day. He leads us in the way we need to go. He walks with us. We can rest in His peace. He is continually transforming us and changing us so we begin taking on His character.

Accept this newness of life. Stop walking around under a load of condemnation because you don't feel like you "fit the part." His Word tells you that you are a new creation. Receive that by faith. It will take a while for your mind to be renewed according to the Word and for you to change your behavior, but that doesn't change the fact that you have already been made brand new! It is already done! It is finished! Now walk with Him and trust that He will help you every day to become more like Him!