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God forgives us.

New and Improved—Day by Day

Do you like new things? Who doesn’t! New clothes, new games, new friends, new books, new movies, new seasons and new hang-outs. New feels really good.

Did you know that God loves new things, too? He loves to create new things. And He loves to recreate things new.

How’s that?

God loves to make things new.

All through the Bible, God talks about new things—especially the new things He gives to us. Here is a list we should not ignore:

•  God gives us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26).

•  God gives us a new spirit (Ezekiel 18:31).

•  God puts a new song in the hearts of His children (Psalm 40:3).

•  He has given us a new name (Revelation 2:17).

•  He has given us a new self (Ephesians 4:24).

•  He makes us wholly new. Second Corinthians 5:17 pulls it all together and says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

God loves new stuff. In fact, among the final words that God will speak in human history, recorded in Revelation 21:5, are: Behold, I make all things new.

The Christian life is about being new, different, and changed. Every day that you walk with Jesus you are changing, being transformed little by little. Romans 6:4 says, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. The words “newness of life” doesn’t mean new in time, but new in character, new in quality. Every day we become a new and improved person.

But that happens only when we realize that some of the things we’re doing just don’t fit in the new us. Some of the old stuff needs to go. We’ve outgrown it.

Think about your life. What would you say is “the old you” that needs to change?

Maybe some old attitudes? Some old way of talking? Some old way of filling your time?

Some old ways of dealing with difficult things? Some old habits? Some old friends?

Ask Jesus to show you what stuff needs to change—and He will. Then ask Him for the courage to change what He shows you.

Every day God give us a new chance to ask for and receive His forgiveness. And when you’re sincerely sorry for your old garbage showing up in your life, God will always forgive you. We learned today that this concept is totally foreign to the people who practice the Hindu religion in Bali, Indonesia. They don’t understand God’s forgiveness and believe you need to die and come back as another lower life to pay for your sins.

Not so. No matter how old you are, God wants to make you new. He is recreating you—not reincarnating you! No matter how long you have walked with God, He wants to make you more like Himself. That’s what “newness of life” means.

Don’t you just want to tell the people in Bali, Indonesia that God is gracious, that He forgives our sins, and gives us a new start every day. They think you have to keep trying to be good, even after you’re dead. They don’t know that God is a forgiving God when we ask Him to forgive us and change us to be more like Himself a little more every day. But He is! God is the one who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
(Psalm 103:3-4).

Every day God says, “It’s a new day, my child, begin again!”

Dinner Table Chat:

1.  What are some of your favorite “new” things?
2.  Do you remember one thing that was different about you before you met Jesus?
3.  What’s one thing you would like God to change in you today?
4.  We read a lot of Scripture verses today—which was your favorite?
6.  What’s one thing you learned about FEBC’s work in Bali today?

 


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