“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2Corinthians 5:17(NLT)
Many of us are praying for newness to enter our lives. Whether it is a new relationship, job, house, vehicle, or most importantly, a closer relationship with the Lord, we want a wonderful change in our lives. Jesus Christ teaches in John 10:10(NKJV), “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” From this truth, we can be confident God desires that every person enjoys a rich and satisfying existence. Therefore, we can be very hopeful and have great expectations for newness.
As we continue praying and thinking about the blessings of God, we must also put a great deal of focus on 2Corinthians 5:17. God designed life in such a way that the changes we desire begin with us. This is a reality we often overlook. We pray to God to bring newness into our lives, but we have not yet embraced the newness that Jesus Christ has made available to us.
Galatians 3:27(NLT) declares, “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” Our new birth reality causes us to be immersed in Christ and to have his Spirit abiding within us. We are in Christ, and he is in us. This is the unity with our Lord and Savior that God has made available through His only begotten Son’s sacrifice and resurrection. Ephesians 1:3(NLT) tells us that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings because of this union, and we should be wearing the love of Christ like a second skin. Some of us are not as concerned about growing in the Lord Jesus as we should be. Instead of wearing his love, we are still putting on the worn-out habit patterns of our old selves.
During the Autumn season, leaves turn the most beautiful colors, and for many of us, the season is a favorite. Fall shows us that change can be a very beautiful thing, because it demonstrates that letting things go is required to make room for the newness to come. Leaves drop off, and it would be absurd for anyone to pick them off the ground and try sticking them back on the tree. The Autumn season means that the life in the leaves has ended, and the tree is happy to let them go, because it looks forward to new leaves.
Ephesians 4:23 tells us to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. This means we must change the way we think and line up our thoughts with the mind of Christ. The obsessive need for control, trying to be perfect, the need to be right all the time, insecurities and self-doubt, and stress and anxiety, these are the kinds of heavies that weigh us down and take up unnecessary space in our hearts and minds. They get in the way of God’s best for our lives. So, as we amp up our expectations for the newness God has for us, let’s make sure our minds and hearts match it. We can witness how beautiful it is to let go of the things that hold us back so we can embrace the things that help us become all God desires us to be. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.English Standard Version (ESV)
“Change Can Be A Beautiful Thing”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2021. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.
