Becoming New In Christ

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” -2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

As the New Year rolls in, we make declarations that we can’t keep. Some say, “new year, new me.” Others say, “Out with the old, in with the new.” All these New Year declarations sound good and catchy, and it’s good to have a new mindset toward the new year, but if we aren’t in Christ, no matter how much we try to become a new person or do “new things” we are still the same old person. We are only made new in Christ. No matter how many self-help books we read or how many goals we write down to do a new thing in the new year, only God can transform us, and that happens when we come to Jesus. If you don’t know Jesus, you’re still the same old person, with the same old ways, doing the same old thing. New year, same you, partying, getting drunk, gossiping, lying, and doing the same things you’ve always done. New Year, same you, still being a people pleaser, unkind, malicious, envying, becoming angry, new year same you…without Christ.

When The Lord does something new, it is just that, NEW. We become new in Christ when we give our lives to Him. We’re no longer children of darkness, we now become children of Light. I encourage you not to allow the cliches of life to cause you to think that you are automatically a new person just because you have some new goals in the new year. Without Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are just the same old person. Only Jesus can change you through the power of the Holy Ghost that lives in you, and that is even a process. As a Christ follower, you will begin to see changes in your life, the more intentional you are in submitting to Him. The more you spend time with Jesus, the more you want to please Him and obey Him. The new thing in your life starts and ends with Him. New year, same Jesus, who is available and doesn’t change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 KJV) He is holy and perfect and He doesn’t need to change. It’s us who do.

Daughter of Fire, I want to encourage you to surrender your life to Jesus, so that He can transform your life. If you know Him, and you’ve been struggling with the same secret sins that have just been besetting you year after year, this would be a good time to rededicate your life to Him. You can ask the Holy Spirit to help you become the new creation who Jesus died for. Jesus didn’t die in vain for you to continue the same cycle year after year, but He has the power to break cycles in your life and generation. The power is in you. He dwells in you. You don’t have to fight the battles of fornication, promiscuity, slander, gossip, lying, people-pleasing, anger, malice, envy, and coveting. You don’t have to do these things alone, because His Spirit is available to help you to overcome these things.

Daughter of Fire, I get it, and I know it’s hard, the struggle is real, I must admit, but there is no One more real than Jesus. There is no better friend than Him, who loves you despite the many challenges you may have. Daughter of Fire, put away the old, and trust Christ with the new, we are on this journey together. I’ve had many battles with my flesh that I don’t have anymore. It was hard, but Jesus helped me to overcome them. While there may be new battles ahead, I have the confidence that He can help me overcome them too. When Christ does a new thing, it is just that, new. When we are in Him, there is a desire to become all that He has called us to be. Let us begin a new journey with Him in the new year. If we don’t know Him, we accept Him as Lord and Savior. And if we do know Him, we are intentional in our walk with Him, and we put away the old things. We ask Him to help us to become who He has called us to be. When God does a new thing, it’s simply and absolutely beautiful and good. God is kind, caring, and compassionate and He loves you unconditionally. New year, new you with Jesus Christ as Lord, because God is doing a new thing on the earth, do you not perceive it?