2 Corinthians 5: 17 NLT
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”
2024 – a NEW YEAR has begun. Many people talk about New Year’s Resolutions, a time to set new goals. Sometimes we look back over the past year with regret. There are things we wish we could undo. We also have moments and projects that went well, and for that we’re thankful.
What will this new year bring? One thing we can be sure about as Christ followers, believers, Christians – we have a new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit lives within us, and gives us new life each new day.
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. … 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.” (Romans 8: 1 – 2; 15 – 17 NLT)
As we begin this new year, we can rest assured that God is with us. He is our father, a God who loves and cares for us. He has forgiven us for all the wrong things we have done and said. All those things in 2023 we wish we could undo, he has forgiven. His Spirit is with us 24/7. We are his children and we can go to him every day, every moment and ask for his help and advice.
2024 might bring more unrest, or more peace, in our world. We don’t know how the major wars in Ukraine and in Israel/Gaza will turn out. In our country, inflation might continue, or it might die down. Our health system might improve, or still make it difficult to find a doctor or quick help in the emergency rooms at hospitals.
Those plans for the next year that we’ve been thinking about – for our family, for our job, for our finances, for vacations … might work out. Or we might have to change things up completely. But again, there is something we do know for sure.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38 – 39 NLT)
Despite all the complications and possible problems, look at 2024 with anticipation. It is a New Year, and God will be with you in everything it brings.
Our song for today is In Christ Alone by Passion