What does it mean to have a new start? To dispose of an old life and take on a new? To be reborn when the old self was dying? While there are many ways the secular world perceives this transformation to be, there is only one way we truly change and transform into a new man or woman, and that path is through Jesus Christ.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Romans 12:2
A important question in this hour is – do we love ourselves? I ask this, not because I doubt it or think self-righteously that we are all at a place of perfect self-love, but because many, if not most of us suffer in the ability of truly loving ourselves or forgiving ourselves.
Loving is Forgiving
Do we love ourselves when we are fat or thin? Have good hair or bad? Have a good day or bad? Make a serious mistake or not? Have our finances in order or have been struggling? Have lots of friends or are struggling with keeping relationships going, including those with our own family or spouse?
Now, it’s apparently easy to love ourselves when things are going right or seemingly right, but a new challenge may overwhelm us when we must deal with the idea of loving and forgiving ourselves when things go bad, wrong, or otherwise do not meet our own, sometimes high, expectations.
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda
Do our thoughts agree with the world or with God? Do we believe in lies about how we are not worthy, good, or lovable when the word of God says we are worthy, forgiven, and loved? God has indeed forgiven us when He set His first son, Jesus Christ, on the cross to pay for our sins. He says we are forgiven and it is finished! Do we? Or do we agree with our enemies by saying: “if only I … If only I didn’t _… or if only I had _… or if only I was ___…“. These are the woulda, coulda, shouldas that hold so many of God’s people back from walking in His purpose by deceiving them into thinking they are not ready, not forgiven, or not worthy.
Renewing our minds in Christ means to renew our minds on what He did for us on the cross. To pay for our sins, set us free from captivity, free us from the debts, free us from shame and guilt, and prepare us for an eternal life with Him.
New Creations
Are we born again? As a believer in Jesus, we are meant to be new creatures; new men and women, newly reborn in Him by water and Spirit (John 3:3). When we are, we then can believe in His promises and blessings in our life and reject the curses of the past. We are not cursed, but truly blessed when we renew our minds on Him.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17
When we put our minds on Him and reject the thoughts of this world about whatever we think about ourselves, we can see the truth that we are indeed, made anew in His image.
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.Colossians 3:10
So now, the only thing to do in the new year is to be the new man or woman that God created you to be by choosing to walk in the purpose that you were created for and be holy as He is holy.
and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.Ephesians 4:24
This is a teaching from the gospel that has been true throughout time, year after year. When we set our minds on Him, yield to Him, Listen to Him, have relationship with Him, trust Him, and love Him, by obeying the commands He gave us, we are made anew. Set apart for good works, for His glory to be revealed in the new year.
New Year
Are you ready for it? Are you ready to believe what He says instead of the lies of the enemy? Are you believing on His good promises instead of the desperate deceptions the enemy throws your way to try to knock you off of His path for you?
Then make a vow today, not a new year’s resolution, but a vow to God to choose His good plan this day and every day forward. Believe in Him, believe in Jesus Christ, and believe in yourself that you were created for a good purpose, according to His plan, His design, and His good mercy. God did not make a mistake in creating you and His faithfulness endures forever!
Happy New Year, you are loved! ❤️