Something New

 

So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: The primitive passed by.  Lo! There has come new! 

Paul To The Corinthians 5: 17, Concordant New Testament 

This time of year, just after Christmas, people are scrambling to find something new.  Our New Years resolutions can range from our fitness to a new job.  It is a New Years resolution, in fact, that launched me into the fitness habit I am now involved in.  Some years ago I was recovering from a work injury and the physical therapist I was working with "strongly" suggested that changes were needed.  Of course, I didn't heed her advice immediately, but as the end of that particular year came about, I resolved that I would begin to establish some solid exercise and health habits.  Well, more than a few years later I'm still working on that goal which I set for myself.  Of course, not all of the resolutions which we set come to fruition.  Indeed, the graveyard of discarded New Years resolutions is piled high with expectations which we hadn't the stamina or desire to meet.  Some last only a few weeks, others a bit longer.  It seems that desiring something newer would be exciting for us, but it doesn't always work out that way.  What does this mean for Christians?  Well, how many times have you sat through a Sunday sermon where the padre speaks to how it is that we ALL are sinners?  We all have held tightly to the words of the apostle Paul to the Romans that all are indeed born into sin {Romans 3:23}.  As a result, our attitude is that we continue to be under the threat of judgement for that sin which we were born into.  Of course, that is no longer true.  For through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, something new happened.  Through the work of Christ on the cross, we are now something new.  For Christ gave of Himself to become sin on our behalf {Paul To The Corinthians 5:21}.  Through Christ Jesus, we no longer carry the sin title we once held.  Something new has come.  Paul himself declares this in 2 Corinthians with his proclamation that "There has come new" {Paul To The Corinthians 5:17}.  Paul understood that it is through the death of Christ that our sin was ultimately put to death {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  In essence, we died with Christ on that cross {Paul To The Romans 6:8, Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  What remains is something new.  What remains is Christ.  

What, then, shall we declare, That we may be persisting in sin that grace should be increasing?  May it not be coming to that!  We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it? 

Paul To The Romans 6: 1-2, Concordant New Testament 

I spoke of those New Years resolutions that fell by the wayside over the years.  My friends and I at the gym have a standing joke concerning the resolutions of some.  We've noticed that our favorite gym usually gets a bit busier as New Years approaches.  While this in itself is usually not a big deal, more people certainly means less space and equipment available.  However, as we've come to see over time, those New Years crowds tend to taper off a month or tow into the New Year.  One by one, many people who begin with good intentions ultimately toss those dreams onto the pile of forgotten resolutions.  There are a few, however, who stick it out and continue on their journey.  My point being that those who continue with the resolution which they have set for themselves believe that it exists, that it is something real and attainable.  If you are a Christian who has sat through far too many sermons telling you how bad of a sinner that you are, perhaps you're ready to resolve to find something better, something new.  If so, one of the first steps is to realize that we have been lied to by those charged with spreading the gospel of Jesus.  We are NO LONGER sinners!  Christ gave Himself on the cross that our sin would be put to death once and for all {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  The ultimate revelation of Christ Jesus in you comes upon us at the will of the Father, as it did Paul {Paul To The Galatians 1:15-16}.  The Father will delight in revealing His Son in you.  To reveal in you something new.  

Nothing, consequently, is now condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. 

Paul To The Romans 8: 1, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~