Created Anew
I sit here contemplating this month’s blog pondering the fact that it is Spring. I didn’t even realize we had passed that date a couple of days ago. It really doesn’t matter since the high today is supposed to be 36 and it is supposed to snow. This time of year really brings out Mother Nature’s bipolar tendencies.
The thing I love about spring is that life begins anew. Trees will begin to produce buds and break forward into full foliage. Grasses and plants that were lying dormant appearing to be dead will slowly bring forth color as the days get longer and warmer. Birds will begin searching for mates and building nests in preparation for bringing life anew according to their kind, and many of North America’s wild game species will give birth this time of year. It’s as if all of creation is waking up from a long winter’s nap, even giving the appearance of coming back to life from the dead.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation; old things have passed away; all things have become new.”
Our lives before finding Christ are marred by the sin of our disobedience to Him. We may actually experience shame and regret for the things we have done. Often, this may prevent someone from coming to Christ, because they believe they aren’t good enough. God already knows we aren’t good enough (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10 +23). The amazing thing is that when we were separated from Him, He provided His Son to make a way for us to come back to Him (Romans 5:8).
We come to Him dirty and stained with sin full of regret and shame, and He makes us new. Christ washes away all of our sinfulness. We no longer need to feel regret and shame for those things we have done. They are gone and have passed away! We have been made anew. In many respects it is like life beginning anew each spring, yet it is so much more. God doesn’t rebuild who we are; He recreates us into a natural born son or daughter of His.
You and God know the things you have done to disobey Him, yet those things are not enough to separate you from His forgiveness. He is ready to forgive you and give you a fresh, new start. He is prepared to help you develop a heart like Christ through the power of His Spirit. There is no need to look back on the “you” you once were. Look ahead to the “new you” who stands forgiven and is empowered to live a life of service to the One who made this possible.