Pastor David
New Year, New You
Being in the first month of the year people tend to hit the reset button and make plans for the coming year. Some of those plans usually include ways to better yourself. Hitting the gym more, dieting, getting more sleep, reading more books or staying off of social media… it reminds me of how God hits the reset button on us when we repent of our sins as well.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) - 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
In God’s eyes we are made new not by our own power, but the power of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Psalm 103:12 (NIV)-as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Don't neglect repentance as we plan our year and look to make a new you for this new year.
There is a reason why, when the disciples asked how we should pray, Jesus included a part about repenting, “and forgive us our debts” (Matthew 6:12).
Now, of course, repentance is not just saying I’m sorry. The word for repent in Greek is metanoeō, which means to change one's mind. So, if you sin, then repenting is changing your mind not to do that sin again. That is how we are made new (i.e. purified from all unrighteousness) in the eyes of God.
So, new year, new you… don’t forget to examine yourself daily to see if repentance is needed so you can be made anew in God’s eyes this year! As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:30-31 (NLT)-30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. 31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.
P.S. Ultimately, the reason we repent is not to be made anew in the eyes of God, but rather to have a proper healthy relationship with our Father in heaven. Being made anew in his eyes is just a side effect of repentance.