Everyone needs a new beginning. The unfortunate truth about every life is that we have all failed in some way. Truthfully, we have failed in many ways and are in desperate need of help. The Bible speaks honestly: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10, NIV). Sin has tainted every heart, corrupted every mind, and seeks to destroy every life. Is there any hope? Absolutely! His name is Jesus!
The overall story of the Bible is a message of new beginnings. God has been working through history to enable new beginnings. The Apostle Paul called himself the worst sinner to ever live and yet found grace that changed his life forever and gave him a new start. God wants you to have a new beginning! He wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”(II Corinthians 5:17, ESV).
The path of new beginnings can be summed up in ABC:
A – Admit your need. The Bible speaks often of confession and repentance. These two words involve both admitting that you are sinful and turning your heart toward God. To confess is to agree with God that you have sinned. Repent is to turn and go a new direction. There can be no new beginning without a new direction. You must set your focus on Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33, NIV).
B – Believe in Jesus Christ. You have no power to create a new beginning for yourself. You cannot remove your own sin. You cannot reach up and touch God; He must reach down and touch you. Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJ). God has reached down to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. His death on the cross paid for our sin. His resurrection from the grave conquered death. His sacrifice on the cross still has power today to cleanse every heart and bring people into fellowship with the living God. A fresh start in life depends on faith in Jesus Christ.
C – Commit your life. New beginnings mean new habits, new choices and new direction. It means saying goodbye to the old life and establishing a life that now follows Jesus Christ. This involves decision, resolution and commitment. This commitment is so deep Jesus described it as dying to yourself so that you could live for God. Barnabas gave wise words to the new Christians at Antioch: “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (Acts 11:22, NIV).
May each of us resolve to remain true to the Lord with all of our hearts in 2021!