A New You Before A New Year Begins
A NEW YOU BEFORE A NEW YEAR BEGINS
Our challenge in this life is to make a positive difference for the Lord. The Bible clearly teaches us that serving God is vitally important. Our main purpose is not working, hunting, texting or hanging out with friends. Instead our purpose is that of serving God faithfully. Sin is in our world because of a lack of respect for God. What is wrong with a world where Adam Lanza would kill his own mother, then go to Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut and kill 6 adults and 20 children? What is wrong in our world? The answer is simple, God has been left out. Adam Lanza would not have killed those people if he had been a faithful Christian. Those who are faithful Christians do not rape, rob, steal and kill. Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, theft and drunkenness by alcohol or other drugs are not a part of the life of a faithful Christian. The world says if you want to be a homeless, dirty bum, do it. The world says if you want to be an ax murderer, do it. The world says if you want to dress like a slut out beside the road trying to get business, do it. The world says that if alcohol and drugs makes you feel good, just do it. The Bible commands us to live a life worthy of the cause of our Lord Jesus. Sin and evil will be PAST for you if you are a faithful Christian. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Begin today, don’t wait for the New Year, to read and study your Bible daily. Daily Bile study is God's way to keep us on the straight and narrow path that leads to heaven. "From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15) What a difference it makes when we have God’s word, not on a charm around our neck, but written on our heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11) The best place to hide the word is in your heart. The best purpose in hiding God’s word in your heart is so that you will not sin against Him. A new you can begin before a new year begins if you will get God’s word written in your heart.
Begin today, don’t wait for the New Year, to speak only kind, loving and respectful words. The faithful Christian speaks kind, loving words of appreciation to others. "Let your speech be alway with grace..." (Colossians 4:6) The speech of a Christian must be holy, wise, gracious and intelligent. As children of God our words should be gentle, courteous, wise and discreet. Think before you speak. Always contemplate if your words are going to hurt someone. A new you can begin before a new year begins if you will always use speech that embodies Christianity.
Begin today, don’t wait for the New Year, to find some way to serve others. Be a blessing and an encouragement to others by rendering some service to someone each and every day. "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13) Let us be servants to one another in love. Daily righteousness could save our nation. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34) A new you can begin before a new year begins if you will find ways to serve others.
Will you be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that your sins can be forgiven by His blood? "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Believers contact Christ's saving blood by being baptized into His death. John said, "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12) We join with Paul in saying, "To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21) Are you a faithful member of the church of Christ?
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,
Greenville, Alabama 36037
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