Sunday 01:05:14

The new year reminds us of a new start Colossians says that God has canceled the written code that was against us. He has nailed it to the cross. Meaning that Jesus' sacrifice took it away. We no longer stand under its charge. The charges against us have been dropped. Colossians 2:13, 14 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Not only were the charges against us dropped, our sin and guilt have been taken away. 1 John 1:8, 9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. He set us free - free from having to follow the OT Law that we were unable to keep, free from condemnation, free from the sin that had kept us in bondage. Romans 6:17, 18 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. God made us alive Ephesians 2:4, 5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. When Paul considered the difference that Jesus has made in our lives, he said, we are something entirely brand new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Happy new year? How about your new life, your new freedom, the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God that is new every morning. What do we do with this new life? Paul was taking stock of his life in Philippians. He remembered his past achievements and said - they're garbage. I want to know Christ and be like him. Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Forget what lies behind Focus on the goal to win the prize Ask The Lord. He has done all this for a purpose in your life. We find our purpose when we join God in His purpose. God's purpose for you will always involve glorifying Him, loving and serving others, and pointing people to Jesus Christ.