When Israel left Egypt in Exodus 12, they not only left the old life of Egypt behind, but they became identified as a new people and a new nation, with a new way of life. Keeping this in mind, let us look back at our self in the light of what God has wrought in us. From the old heart, life, and ways of sin He has made us new in Christ Jesus. In Ezekiel 36:26, God said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you …” He had already uttered basically the same truth in 11:19. This is not a New Year’s resolution or a religious reform; rather it is a complete change of the inner man. This generates a new life as 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This begins a growing process in which we no longer need to struggle to keep a spiritual New Year’s resolution, but we find more and more of the old being left behind. This creates a resurrection/restoration in Christ whereby “we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). A new life calls for a new walk. In the parable of the returning prodigal in Luke 15, not only was he clothed in a new garment, and given a ring that identified him as part of the family, but also shoes or sandals were placed on his feet, meaning he no longer had to walk in the “swine” pens, but now he could walk with a new walk, a new way of life! When Israel left Egypt, the Passover celebration marked the beginning of their religious year (Exodus 12:2), so when we leave the “Egypt” of the old life and are given our new identity in Christ it becomes the beginning our “New Year” in Him; not just a New Year’s resolution or religious reform, but a complete inner change. If you have not yet experienced this new life in Christ, what better time than at this New Year’s season to invite Him to effect this inner change in you? Do it today, you’ll be glad you did.
Plan For The New Year
-By Rose Hill
In the coming year let this be our plan,
To let God control all our possessions and land.
We will live for Him forsaking all sin,
Fixing our mind on Christ we will be sure to win.
This is what we must do in this year that’s new,
Fullness of life we will have if these things we do.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.