DAILY BLOG
02
Jan '17
John 15:5 – Craig Andrew Griebel
02
Jan '17
A New Beginning
The New Year is upon us as is a multitude of resolutions that we will strive to follow for an entire year. Gym memberships will increase and new diets will sell. However, by the time March comes along, McDonald’s burger sells will again be through the roof and equipment in gyms will once again be available to the faithful few that are consistent enough to continue in their healthy lifestyle. New becomes old and the cycle repeats itself so that next year can finally be that time when we accomplish the goal we are trying to achieve.
I think that this repetitive cycle makes it hard for us to realize what a “New Beginning” really looks like. When Christ states that He is making “everything new” (Rev. 21:5) does He mean something permanent or just another new start that will have to be started all over again when we somehow botch it up? Often times at work, I have my balance patients complete some type of obstacle course to work on their mobility and every time they lose their balance, I make them start over. Is this the way Christ works as well? Is our newness based on performance – our walk and witness shot down when we fall? I feel that I often make my renewal (aka: the making of me being a new man of Christ or sanctification more or less) all about my efforts. What am I doing to get to Jesus? However, if we look at the exact wording of Revelation 21:5 it instead reads: “Then the One seated on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new.’ He also said, ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’” The key I think I have to realize is the “I am making everything new” – not “Craig is making everything new.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I think we work out our salvation daily (Philippians 2:12) by striving to know Christ and dwell in Him in a greater way. But know this for certain: it is not our actions that make us new. Instead, it is the grace of a glorious God that sent His only Son to be a substitute for us – to pay the price we owe. When you come to Christ in salvation – He makes you new.
I believe the problem we often have is that we like to think we somehow must do something to contribute. This is what separates Biblical Christianity from false gospels such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness – we truly believe that the work is done. He made us new in that moment of salvation – “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Again, don’t get the wrong message here. This does not give us justification to not remain in Christ and to sin freely (the entire book of Romans deals with that aspect quite extensively) but it does give us a peace this new year to know that we truly are new creations. We are not a quick resolution made by God to save humanity but then when a couple of months go by and we keep screwing up He gives up on us. No, this is a lasting newness – one purchased by the very valuable blood of Christ.
Thus, I guess my entire note can be summed up in this aspect: Know you are made new and rest in that fact. Know that God sees you as a glorious creation that He is proud of. I believe that growing in Christ rests upon this fact. Because, when you forget this truth you try to perform the “making new” on your own– and trust me – you are not near as capable as God. We grow by remaining in this truth – that God truly does look down at us and proudly report: “Look! I am making everything new.” And guess what? That includes you!
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” John 15:5
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