A new beginning?
V25 n1
Well, we are already three weeks into the new year. For many people, they have already set aside many of the promises, resolutions or commitments that they made coming into the new year. For some, they had put their trust or faith about what others had said, concerning making promises or resolution for the new year, without anything of substance by which to fulfill the promises, commitments or resolutions that they had made. Others, thought that the new year in and of itself would enable them to bring about changes in their life. For most, they had been down this same path many times before, and had arrived at the same results; that is failure and disappointment. How many goals for the new year have you failed to achieve already?
For many Christians, the same is true for their life and goals which they have set, or which others may have imposed on them. They have wanted to have and obtain a closer and more intimate relationship with God, but have not known how to go about obtaining it. They have tried that which others have said to do, but still fail to achieve that personal, intimate relationship with Father. So, what do they do? To whom do they turn?
Often times, they seek out or follow others whom they think are closer to God then they are. But, what are the results going to be, if the people they have chosen to follow or imitate, are in reality, no closer to God then they are? How many people are truly able to see past the external show that most people display?
2Corinthians 5: [H-Union with Christ, right standing with God] 16. So from this moment on, I do not estimate anybody by the standard of outward appearances. Although I once did estimate Christ by this standard, I do not do so any longer. 17. For if anybody is in union with Christ, he is the work of a new creation; the old condition has passed away, a new condition has come. 18. This has all originated with God, for He through Christ has reconciled me to Himself and has given me the ministry of reconciliation. (Williams NT)
There is but one way for a person to have a fresh start, or a new beginning to come about or happen in their life. Of ourselves, there is nothing that a person can do {other then accepting and walking in the provisions that God has ordained and set forth} to make themselves a better person, that is, one that is acceptable in the sight of God.
Paul the apostle {Saul of Tarsus} for many years had thought that he was pleasing God by killing and persecuting a sect or cult calling themselves Christians. Paul knew the letter of the Old Testament law very well. And, he went about doing things with a deep and fervent zeal for God. Now, as a religious leader, as a Pharisee, did this make what Saul of Tarsus was doing right in the eyes of God? Yet, how often do people {maybe even yourself} imitate and follow others that they think are doing right, because of the position or authority that they hold?
Paul the
apostle is trying to tell us, to relate to us in the above verses, that he used
to relate to God by the outward appearances, that is by what other people told
him; and or by that which he heard and observed. Paul in his early years of life, followed the outward example of those whom he looked
up to, of those whom he and
Many people, have looked at and examined the external life and circumstances of Jesus of Nazareth. This is then what they try to imitate, as well as teach others. Yet, if one does not possess an intimate relationship with God, by and through an inner working knowledge of who Christ is; and how the Spirit of Christ is able to bring about a total, complete and lasting change in their life; can there be, or will there be, a lasting transformation in a person’s life?
Without Christ, how long will it be before a person becomes discouraged, as well as bitter with the constant failures, and thus return to their old ways?
We often read the Word, but fail to hear what the Word conveys, but rather hear that which our old nature has understood, or what the people one looks up to illustrate to them. Yet, Peter tells us that we are to be partakers of His divine nature. That is, then when one is born again, when they become that new creation in Christ; that God places the Spirit of Christ within our heart (Rom 10:9-10, John 3:3-8). Now, that the divine nature of God abides within us, one is able to overcome the leanings and cravings of the lower nature (the old man), if they will hear and obey the counsel of God. It is not enough to hear the Word, but one has to also allow the Word to become an actual way of life and living.
1John 2: 4. Whoever says, "I know Him," but does not practice obedience to His commands is a liar, and there is no truth in his heart; 5. but whoever practices obedience to His message really has a perfect love of God in his heart. By this we can be sure that we are in union with Him: 6. Whoever claims, "I am always in union with Him," ought to live as He lived. (Williams NT)
1John
[For all that is in the world] All that it can boast of,
all that it can promise, is only sensual, transient gratification, and even this
promise it cannot fulfil; so that its warmest
votaries can complain loudest of their disappointment.
[The lust of the flesh] Sensual and impure desires which
seek their gratification in women, strong drink, delicious viands, and the
like.
[Lust of the eyes] Inordinate desires after finery of
every kind, gaudy dress, splendid houses, superb furniture, expensive equipage,
trappings, and decorations of all sorts.
[Pride of life] Hunting after honours,
titles, and pedigrees; boasting of ancestry, family connections, great offices,
honourable acquaintance, and the like.
[Is not of the Father] Nothing of these inordinate attachments either comes from or leads to God. They are of this world; here they begin, flourish, and end. They deprave the mind, divert it from divine pursuits, and render it utterly incapable of spiritual enjoyments. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
When a person is born again, that is afforded a new beginning spiritually, a union is created with that person and God by the Spirit of Christ within them. (Rom 8:9) The lusts or cravings of the lower nature will conflict and battle with the new or divine nature. Our entire purpose in life must now become focused in and on being pleasing to Father. Are all of your thoughts; all of your motivations; all of your desires centered in and on pleasing Father? Can you recall Paul telling us that after twenty some years in walking with the Lord, that it was a constant battle within him, to keep the lower nature in subjection to the divine nature?
We have been given a new beginning in Christ, and now one must seek the will of Father, in order that they can be pleasing to Him, and maintain that union with Him. Thus why we can understand why Jesus Christ said that He only spoke the things He heard the Father speak; and did only those things He saw the Father do. Is this the example that you are following?
Colossians 2: 8. Take care that nobody captures you by the idle fancies of his so-called philosophy, following human tradition and the world's crude notions instead of Christ. 9. For it is in Him that all the fullness of Deity continues to live embodied, 10. and through union with Him you too are filled with it. He is the Head of all principalities and dominions. 11. And through your union with Him you once received, not a hand-performed circumcision but one performed by Christ, in stripping you of your lower nature, (Williams NT)
If our new creation, our new beginning, our new nature is from Him, and by Him and through Him; who should we be seeking our counsel and advice in spiritual matters from?
God has made you alive through your fellowship, your union with Christ! Yet, how often do you maintain this union in compliance with the provisions that God has set forth {the narrow and strait gate}, or, do you listen and follow some man’s opinion {the broad and roomy path that the majority travel on}?
The thing people do not always remember, is that each and every day of our lives while yet here, we have the choice of a new beginning, as long as one maintains their union with Him daily, moment by moment. Each and every day we are able to walk in that newness of life with Him, or one has the choice to follow the old man, and be led by the lower nature and all of its cravings. In Christ there is always newness of life, if one chooses to hear and obey God and His Word. Today, will you walk in the new beginning, or will you walk the old path to destruction?
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.
Larry Gazelka
Copyright ©2003