Author: Jeremy
And just like that, we all have a fresh start in a brand-new year. We all have felt that feeling of a new year, a new beginning, and a new you! It's incredible how much weight can be lifted off your shoulders, stress relieved, vigor rejuvenated, and hope restored by the simple concept of a new year, brought in with a ball drop!
How many of us thought to ourselves, "this year will be my year?!?!" You then join a gym, start a diet, begin a new routine, you start a new life! It feels great; you're finally sticking to a promise you made to yourself. Then, life happens. You have an early meeting and need to skip the gym one day, then two, then three. It's your cousin's brother's sister's uncle's birthday, and today will be the only cheat day. You went on vacation and will start the routine back when you get home. You let that negative influence back into your life for a second chance. Then, BANG, the old you returned. Before you know it, you're out of shape, you've gained all the weight back (plus 5lbs), your routine is again self-destructive, and that new year, new you, new life is out the door!
This is the exact thing that happened to the Jews under the 613 laws of Moses. They would go to the temple, make their blood sacrifices, complete the rituals with the high priests, and then walk out of the temple redeemed (check out Leviticus and Deuteronomy). This was great! Like your New Year's resolutions, the problem is that they would begin to sin again over time. With the flip of a sundial, they were back to their old ways. The sin problem was back, and they needed to atone for those sins again, and again, and again. (Read Hebrews 8 & 9)
Christian, you are fortunate. Your sin problem has been eradicated. Your past, present, and future sin ransom has been paid in full, once and forever. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, HE paid your debt in FULL insuring you would become the righteousness of God.
(2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ remained! He had washed away ALL sin for ALL who believe! Sin from the past! Sin in progress! AND sin to come! Then He rose from the grave and ascended into heaven to prepare a place for YOU! (Hebrews 10:11-14)
This is an incredible gift for those who want to receive it! Once you accept Christ into your heart, you are forgiven and begin the sanctification process (John 3:16). This starts with the Holy Spirit indwelling Himself inside of you (Acts 2:38)! This makes accepting Christ much more potent than a New Year's resolution. How many resolutions come with a Holy Helper? How many resolutions can't be taken back? There is only one, and that is Jesus Christ! Once you accept Him, you are filled with the Holy Spirit and sealed forever (Ephesians 1:13).
This is the promise of the New Covenant found in Jesus Christ. He has fulfilled the Law of Moses (Hebrews 8:13). Your sin debt is paid 100% in full, now and forever. If you have accepted Christ, this is the peace you can live with (Romans 5:1). You now get to live by grace alone (Ephesians 2:5) If you haven't, today can be the day you find peace forever. All you must do is believe, ask and you will receive (Matthew 7:7).
My prayer for you:
Lord, thank you for sending us your son to die on the cross and to pay our sin debt far in advance. Thank you, giving us the New Covenant, which secures our deliverance from sin once and forever. Lord, I pray that you will comfort the believers who are reading this. Give them Holy Encouragement from The Holy Spirit. Allow them to feel the warmth and comfort you can give to us, and remind us, our forgiveness was given to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Father, I pray for those who have not found their way home; I pray today will be the day which they see your son, Jesus Christ. I pray they will say the sinner's prayer, repent for their sins, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Lord, I praise you for all things big and small, and I pray that Your Will will be done! Amen!