by Leon

People often declare a new year’s resolution, a fresh start. But for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see, every day is new when you follow God. Each day we can have a fresh start under the abundant grace of Jesus Christ. We often let ourselves become hindered by our past scars and wounds. I’m here to tell you, it’s time for things anew. God has promised us that He can wash away our past and create in us a new and wonderful work. You only need to make the choice to believe in His promise.

^“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Many times, in the Bible we see God change the name of someone giving them a new identity. God changed Abram’s name to “Abraham,” meaning “father of a multitude.” Jesus changed Simon’s name to “Peter,” meaning “rock.” There are other examples, but my point is not specifically about names. Rather it is about how we are promised a renewal. Even while we live in a corruptible world, we can cling to the promise that God can restore us and give us a new identity.

^“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

You don’t have to let emotional scars of the past hinder what God has in store for you. You can be free of those burdens if only you might ask to be free. The moment you became a Christian your former life passed away. You may still hurt emotionally just like anyone else, but now, you have the power and the help to overcome such hurt. You can be renewed.

^“ Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

And there is more than just daily renewal and renewal when we accept the teachings of Jesus as true. There will come a time for a great renewal. Right now, we have corruptible bodies that are subject to disease, illness, and age. But there will come a time when we will receive incorruptible bodies and eternal life. Jesus was the first to receive this eternal body and one day we shall too.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”- Revelation 21:4

Today let’s be thankful for the many promises of God which we can count on.