Wednesday, January 04, 2023

Changing to the NEW

I enjoy new things, don’t you? New sweaters. New socks. New books. New family members. Every Christmas you probably receive something that is new to you. We recently passed into the new year 2023, so people are making resolutions to start something new. It could be losing weight, eating better, saving money, etc. It's exciting and promising!

Many times "New" comes with "Change." And change is what is sometimes hard to do. I don’t like to CHANGE my phone even though, the next one is NEW. Buttons have changed on it. My earphones no longer plug into it. The list goes on.

I don’t like to change my shoes even though, I have a new pair. They're not broken in yet. I have a new pair of slippers in my closet from 2 Christmas ago. Why? Because I still enjoy the pair I have and I’m still wearing them!

Here's one you might relate to: When a relative thinks you need to upgrade and gives you a NEW TV OR A NEW TABLET and now you have to change. You have to learn how to do everything all over again when the way you were doing it was just fine.

What changes have you made recently? What change have you made because you wanted to? What change have you made because you had to? What change have you made that you didn’t want to?

Change of diet? Change of where you live? Change of people living with you? Change of medication? Change of vehicle? Car? Truck?

Change takes effort. Change implies what I’m currently doing, isn’t sufficient. That it’s outdated. That it isn’t working. But I know it is. It’s been working for years! And I like it. I’m comfortable with it. CHANGE

I understand changing because a piece of technology will no longer work, but some people change for change’s sake. Like changing is a virtue or something. Embrace change, they say. Changing is good. But changing just for the sake of changing, I’m not a supporter. There should be a reason. There should be a good reason.

Probably the best reason to change something is that the old one is worn out, dirty, broken, or just outdated. Changing in this case makes sense and is many times even necessary.

Change your investment to get a better return on your money.
Change your dishes because so many of them are broken.
Change your computer because it is 8 years old and no longer supported (You know who you are).
Changes like this are good and usher in the NEW.

This is how it is with Christ. Give yourself to Christ, and He promises to make you NEW.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the NEW creation has come. The old has gone, the NEW is here.”

The New Testament is full of imagery of putting to death the old man by crucifying him and allowing Christ to make us into someone new. The most effective illustration of this transformation is seen in the act of Christian baptism (Romans 6:1-6). In baptism, we are symbolically burying the old person along with our sins, evil desires, and thoughts. But unlike the physical world, the new believer is raised out of the water tomb immediately and given new life through the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

At baptism, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), we are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27), we are saved (1 Peter 3:21), and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

God wants to change you to make you NEW! If you haven't allowed Him to do that yet, what are you waiting for? It's 2023! Time for Change! Now, get back to figuring out how to use that new TV remote!

It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Easter Sunday will be here in a few short days. Christians all over the world will celebrate our Savior's victory over sin and death. Th...