New.

What a word in three letters. Just think about it… We are infatuated with N-E-W — seriously, look at ourselves. We get a new sparkling car, or a new pair of white shoes, a clean, new coffee mug, etc. and we love it, it is exciting, it brings us happiness, we focus on it, gawk at it, think about it… It’s truly great. Most everyone would agree — look at the world around us wanting new everything in everyway.

I must say I am one of them. I love new! Just the feeling and the thought of new — of sparkling, white, clean new — excites me! Yet, there’s always strings attached. Some kind of price tag or payment in return. Even when you win let’s say the lottery — read the fine print: you owe taxes. Another thing, these new things aren’t continual. That is, they never stay new. The car will get scratches, the shoes scuffs, the mug coffee stains… New for them is a one time thing, they lose their luster and eventually fade away, leaving us needing and wanting new new.
Now, what if we could go beyond new new and have infinity new? By this I mean continual newness over and over every second. And this is not of our stuff, but of ourselves! This is far better than having a magic car that cleans itself. To have ourselves, our mind, our conscience, our inner being, our heart, our soul be sparkling, white, clean.

Meet Jesus.  He does just that for us.

Everyday, no matter what stupid, sinful action I have done, no matter how bad, or how many people I have hurt, he forgives it on the second. All I have to do ask his forgiveness and want to change my way, he was already prepared and “He forgave us ALL our sins” (Colossians 2:13) That means past, present and future.

How is this? I love Jesus. I have accepted this free gift of continual newness through knowing and following Him. He is my life and he has given me new life through Himself — the Gospel. It is such an inexpressible joy and relief to know I am not perfect, that I do mess up, but I am new! NEW NEW NEW! (insert leap for joy!)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  2 Corinthians 5:17

This does not mean we have free reign to sin because “Oh, well we shall be forgiven anyways.” That is a dangerous heart attitude, deceitful and unrepentant.  How is that true love toward Christ? His deep love is what covers our sins. Shall we not return it?

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”  1 Peter 4:8

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4: 22-24

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3: 9-10

Praise God! I am being made new. Sparkling white in the eyes of my Savior. Cleansed by his blood. Made whiter than snow.

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.“ 2 Peter 3:13

New. What a word in three letters. Just wonder about it…