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The new year

As we look back at 2021 there will be things we would want nothing more than to bring into 2022; there will also be things we would want nothing more than to leave in 2021. An then there is the hope of a new year which most see as a way to a new start.

Looking for a new start - from what?

The most important question to ask is what are you looking for a new start from? Are you looking to remove guilt, pain, anger, lust, selfishness, maybe all the above and then some?

No matter why we are are looking for a new start there is only 1 true way to a new start, Jesus - Rev 21:5 “...Behold, I make all things new.”...” then He adds something to give us even more assurance “these words are true and faithful.” That means we don’t have to carry these heavy worries - Mt 11:28-30 NLT. But you may be saying - you don’t know what I’m going through, you can’t possibly understand - and you would probably be right. But Jesus can, and Jesus does. Heb 4:15-16 if and when we do come before Him boldly and seek His salvation it will no longer matter what you have done or how recently you did it because Isa 1:18 says “enter quote”. Thus Jesus offers us the only true new start.

What if I fail again?

Rom 6:10-11 - This is a very hard concept for us to understand. It seems to to be true. But what this means is that once you are saved you are always saved. You cannot loose your salvation. Jesus proves this in Jn 10:27-30. How do we get into the Father’s hand, in Jesus’ hand? Jn 3:16-17, it’s not that we deserve it when we trust in Jesus. In fact He would still be justified in casting us into the lake of fire regardless. However, God gave us a promise that if we trust Jesus to take our sin He will show us mercy by way of grace Eph 2:8. So then we can sit back in our chairs as closet Christians and wait for glory; NO! James 2:18-20. Now you are thinking that’s a contradiction. But Paul and James are very much in line & never contradict each other. We miss the fact that they are talking about 2 different situations. James saying I will show you my faith by my works is referencing our life here on earth. Here is where we can gain rewards we will have for eternity. And how will we know that we have given our life to Christ - Rom 12:2 “renewing” = a changing, or moving from one way of thinking to another. Your conscious will no longer allow you to do what you used to. So now we want to serve Christ. But how does that match up with Paul saying you can’t be saved by works? Paul is speaking of your eternal judgement. What Paul says is no matter how good or bad you are / were you can be saved. And God will only see the righteousness of Jesus. 2 Cor 5:15-17, 1 Cor 10:23 ESV