Hope in Newness

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

One Sunday, a sister brought her new born baby to church and shared with everyone there her joy of having this new addition to her family. Everyone wanted to hold the baby, to feel that new life breathing in the arms, to see that peaceful look when sleeping and, yes, to hear that desperate cry when awaken by the Oohs and Ahs of people around.

A new life is always exciting and welcomed. It may appear in the first blossom in spring, the first fruit on the tree, the new born cubs or, in this case, the new born baby. Why? I think it’s because there a whole new life waiting ahead, filled with opportunities for accomplishments and adventures. Moreover, since these are new lives, just born, they come with no prior burdens, prejudices, or records. They are brand new blank pages waiting to be filled out with stories. This is especially precious for those of us who feel like our lives are more than half passed. We see hope in new lives.

The same is true with our spiritual lives. Our old lives, filled with self-righteousness and lusts, are sinful and need to be dealt with. So, God in Holy Spirit gives us a new life in Christ when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. I am convinced that our salvation does not only bring us a new life, it also brings to reality a whole new eternal and heavenly dimension of blessings that we never knew before: the knowledge and experience of the character of God, the joy and peace of living in the guidance and shelter of the sovereign God, the honor of serving the Most High God and the blessings of sharing this good news with all people around us, and more. The opportunities for accomplishments and adventures that come with the new life in Christ are so much that it brings great joy to both saints everywhere and angels of our Lord in Heaven when a sinner repents and is made a child of God.

Let’s not forget that our salvation is provided with great price, our Lord Jesus. But, more importantly, let’s not forget that, in paying such great price, God has turned our lives to a whole new page on which He wants to write His messages to the people around us. Knowing the character and power of God, knowing that our lives will continue to be filled with challenges and trials, let us strive to be open to His leading in serving Him through serving the people around us so our hope in Christ may be made visible to all and give glory to our Lord and Savior.

Prayer Requests:
1. Those who are having problems in their relationship with their loved ones, like family members, and are not able to see any way out.

Prayer:
Our loving Father, thank you for sending your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus, to come and die for our sins. Thank you for giving us a new life in which we may come to know You and Your will for us so we may experience all Your promised blessings. Help us not to lose sight of this eternal dimension of our new lives so we may discern where You are leading us and may serve You without weary. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!