Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

I hope you didn’t mind me taking a break from writing last week. I needed to still away to rest and recharge. During that time, the Holy Spirit gave me this week’s theme which is simply the ‘new you’.

Let’s begin with the foundation of being new in Christ!

Today’s scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (NLT) says…
[16] So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! [17] This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Consider…
New Year’s resolutions are very common. Many of them are physical or financial related. In fact I would guess that the majority of new years resolutions fall into the being healthier physically or financially bucket.

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

Unfortunately, I would also guess that being spiritually healthier is one of the least resolutions made. Yet, as believers, Romans 8:5-6 (ERV) explains…
[5] People who live following their sinful selves think only about what they want. But those who live following the Spirit are thinking about what the Spirit wants them to do. [6] If your thinking is controlled by your sinful self, there is spiritual death. But if your thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.

Imagine making a resolution to follow the Spirit more.

Notice, the scripture said that letting the Spirit control our thinking brings life and peace. However, I believe the life and peace mentioned here is about our relationship with God. My belief is based in Romans 6:9-12 (NLT), which says…
[9] We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. [10] When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. [11] So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. [12] Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.

God wants us to live for His glory, just like Jesus Christ! That requires us to be dead to sin and alive in Him (Christ).

Fortunately for us, the Apostle Paul tells us how we can accomplish this in Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT), which explains…
[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

That sounds like another worthy resolution, throw off our sinful nature.

I like how Paul drills into what that practically looks like in Ephesians 4:25-29 (NLT)…
[25] So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. [26] And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] for anger gives a foothold to the devil. [28] If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. [29] Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Appreciate, Paul wrote this to believers, which tells me that accepting Christ, and salvation, doesn’t mean that we will automatically live like it. It also tells me that we have to intentionally and actively change our ways and attitudes.

That provides some good resolution suggestions…

• Stop lying
• Tell the truth in love
• Stop being angry
• Stop stealing
• Give generously to others
• Stop using foul language
• Speak edifying things

Surely one or more of these are worthwhile resolutions to consider. I know that making them our goal would make the Holy Spirit happy. I know that because Ephesians 4:30 (NLT) says…
[30] And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

By the way, that verse reiterates this admonition was given to believers. 🤯

Doubling down, on changing our behaviors and attitudes, Paul continued his admonition and added an exhortation with Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)…
[31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. [32] Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

In a word, the Holy Spirit is saying get rid of the old you and embrace the new you.

Speaking of embracing the new, Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT) instructs us…
[12] Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

All these scriptures show us the contrast of the old us that our sinful nature desires to the new us that God requires.

The Holy Spirit is emphasizing the fact that if we’ve accepted Christ we must consciously change how we think and act. If we don’t need to change, what are we being saved from? Also, if we feel we don’t need to change the Holy Spirit reminds us 1 John 1:8 (NLT) says…
[8] If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

Face it, we all need to change. Our testimony needs to be what Olivia Branch Walker sings…

I moved from my old house
I moved from my old friends
I moved from my old way of strife
Thank God I moved out to a brand new life

He changed my old way with words
He changed my old leveled mind
He changed my heart and gave me a new start
Thank God I moved out to a brand new life

Can’t you see I’m a new man
Don’t you know I got a new name
And one day I’ll live in that new land
Because I moved out to a brand new life

The only way that we can do this is by following Galatians 5:16 (ERV), which instructs…
[16] So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants.

So as you contemplate your New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to top your list with becoming the new you that Christ saved you to be.

Today’s Song is…
Make Me Over

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)