Revelation 21:5 (New King James Version)
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”He makes all things new. I love that thought... those words... the meaning behind them. As you sit and read this part of scripture, and maybe as you long for things to be made new... for a new start, a new day... another chance... waiting for the darkness of the night to fade away so the light of dawn will begin to break... the question is, do you believe it?
I do.
And as I think about it, as I try to figure out why God would be willing to not only allow us to seek the newness that He offers once... but continually... I am baffled. Why would He? Why should He? The answer is simple... because He loves us and wants to live the fruit filled life that He has for us to live. A life of joy, peace, and happiness. How can we be sure... because He who sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new... and His words are true and faithful. What He says, He will do. Where we were, is not where we were supposed to be... where we are, is not where we are going to be. None of that is good enough... God has so much more in store... and for us to get there will mean that many changes will take place along the way. As the old becomes new, we can be confident that the Lord will complete the work He started.
What a gift it is... this newness in Christ... how unworthy we are to receive it... how gracious He is to give it anyway.
To have the ability to step out of our past and into the new life He has for us. To have the ability to leave behind our yesterdays and grab hold of this day... and all that lies ahead. To not have to live under the burden of all our past failures... mistakes... regrets; and yet still be able to dream of all the good things the Lord has in store for us. To hope... to be new... what a gift.
As many times as it takes, He beckons us closer to Him... waiting for us to give Him just one more piece of the puzzle that is our heart, so we can truly be made new. He won't take it from us by force... but He waits patiently for us to give it all up. Odd though how hard we try to hold onto the old... the comfortable, not willing at times to let it go. If we could only get a taste of all that He has in store... just a glimpse of the new life that awaits.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (New King James Version)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Websters dictionary defines behold like this--
1. to perceive through sight or apprehension; to see.
2. to gaze upon; observe.
Dictionary.com gives these words as synonyms for behold--
1. regard, view, watch, discern.
I think that for us, observing or seeing the changes in us... the newness in us... can be difficult. But, if we really look at from where we came... the things we've done... the life we led... and truly look at where we are now... we will be able to discern the changes... we will see the newness.
The more we are willing to let go of, the more the Lord will change into something new. There has to be that willingness on our part to give up old ways in order to walk in the new ways that the Lord has for us. I think that if we really believe that His ways are better, we should be jumping at the chance. To realize that the ability to come before Him in order to seek this new life is a gift... a privilege... and honor... which He has bestowed upon us, is a good place to start.
The truth that we all must come to know is that no matter what yesterday held for us, God is able to take that, and change that... to take the broken pieces of our lives, and give us back something better than we could ever imagine. Every day He gives us is an opportunity to refresh ourselves in His grace... and His joy... which is new every morning...
Psalm 30:5 (New King James Version)
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
His mercies are renewed every morning...
Lamentations 3:22-23 (New King James Version)
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
I guess the key is to be willing to let go of the old... our old thoughts... our old habits... our old way of life... and take hold of the new life God has for us through Jesus Christ...
Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version, ©2010)
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
We have the ability to leave behind our old ways, to leave behind the ways of the world, to live a new life, a life that is pleasing to God, all because of Jesus and what He was willing to do. He was willing to leave behind His old life... a life of glory... He was willing to step out of heaven and into the human existence... so we can have life... true life... and life abundant. He died so we could live... so we can live a life free of all that hinders.
Luke 22:20 (New King James Version)
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
The new life we are allowed to live is because of the new covenant which was sealed with His blood. How you respond to that is up to you. But make no mistake, in Christ you have the ability to walk in His ways... to live in the new life that He has for you to live. The harder you try to hold on to the old, the harder it will be for you to grab hold of the new. Makes sense... don't it?
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