Happy New year! As a pastor I always try to find reasons to celebrate Jesus Christ and to bring Him glory when it comes to holiday’s we have marked on our calendars. When the new year comes, I am reminded that Jesus said from His great throne in Heaven “Behold I make all things new.” This is the revelation that Jesus gives to John in a vision in the Book of Revelation. This is an encouragement to all the world that one day Jesus will make all things “good” as it was in the beginning.

It’s important to understand this wasn’t a plan B. God created everything “good” and from the time God created He knew in His infinite wisdom that humanity would choose to sin, and thus usher sin and all its power into the world. So, it was God’s intention all along to make it right through Jesus Christ and He will, God said it so you can bet on it. One day God will set up a new heaven and a new earth. God gave us a little taste of this through Jesus life, death and resurrection.

The first step in redeeming the world back to glory, or in more simplistic terms restoring all things to “good”, was the redemption of mankind. Jesus’s life death and resurrection restored many things to the way God created. Think about it. Before our sin Adam and eve could freely communicate with God. They had a personal relationship with God. Even to the point that God allowed man to name things in his creation, He created a world with no death, no sin and no shame. Until of course they sinned and chose what they couldn’t have over all the blessings they were given. Thus, they felt shame when they were naked, and instead of talking with God they hid from Him. Now through the blood of Jesus we can have that relationship back. He came, lived a perfect life and died on the cross and when he did, he became sin so that we by putting our trust in Him can be free from the penalty of sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Furthermore, He went to the grave and was resurrected to conquer death (John 3:16). Sometimes in our modern world we forget that God renewed us.

1 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

He has begun a work that he promises will continue until the day Jesus comes again (Philippians 1:3). When He does, He will set the whole world straight for Gods glory. But for now, we can have that conversation with God.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
We can go to God for forgiveness daily.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And we need not let the guilt of sin condemn us.

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death.

This is but a fraction of the new things Jesus set into motion. So this year won’t you renew your relationship with God. He has blessed us with so many ways to draw closer to Him in a new and fresh way.

John 14:26-27 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Happy New Year!