Newness of Life for the New Year

As a direct result of our salvation in Christ Jesus we are supposed to walk “in newness of life.” as Paul says in Romans 6:4. But what exactly does that mean? Does it somehow mean we have no past and our life is constantly restarting? Well no of course not.

See when we think of the word ‘new’ we normally think of something that has a recent origin like a brand new car rolling out of the factory. But when the Bible uses the word ‘new’ that is not normally what it means. For ex: the gospel, which is the bedrock of the *new* Covenant predates the New Covenant by hundreds of years, we know this because Paul tells us in Galatians that the Gospel was preached to Abraham. This same new covenant mentioned in Hebews 7:22 is also called the “eternal covenant” in Hebrews 13:20. New and eternal? At the sme time? What kind of newness is this?

This is the same newness you experience when you hug one of your children after a growth spurt. It’s the same kid but everything’s more mature; he’s taller, has a bigger frame, and doesn’t squirm like he did when he was 6months old. This is the same newness you and your wife experience after you squeeze in a much needed date night. It’s the same newness of fellowship you experience when you confess your sin to a brother or sister and ask forgiveness. This newness is one of quality, it has to do with maturity, deepening, and reconciliation. And it is this newness that is supposed to seep into every inch of your life as a result of receiving a new heart from God.

So as a new-year dawns and Christmas break and PTO end and you return to everyday life, remember that life in Christ should always be new. In Christ your boring job can be made new with holy ambition. In Christ your marriage can be renewed with joy and fellowship. In Christ your bitter wounds can be healed and replaced with wisdom. All of this can be done by the same power that raised Christ from the dead. So Come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.
This exhortation was given to Christ Church Downtown, Moscow ID on 12/31/23