010525 From the Banks of Burcham Creek Sunday Edition...

 A New You

How would you like a brand new you in this
New Year of 2025?

Such is not an unreasonable desire or possibility.

In fact, it is God’s intent to eventually
“Make all things new” in the “new heavens and new
earth” (Rev. 21:5, 1).

Until that time, the Lord is preparing a people
who are said to be “born again … of water and the
Spirit” (John 3:3, 5).
    
In the process of the new birth, we become
children of God and receive the Spirit of Christ,
entitling us to address God as our Father (Gal. 4:6).

A truly new you are not through New Years resolutions,
but only in Christ:

“If any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature; old things are passed away…
all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

Newness of life is not found in just being a good
neighbor, a good husband or wife, or respectable
person, or even in just being religious.

Jesus expressed His purpose in coming into this world
when He told His disciples, “I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”

(John 10:10).

The gospel (good news) by which we receive this life centers upon

Jesus’ dying upon the cross for our sins, being buried, 

and raised to life, as witnessed to us through His apostles

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

The apostle Paul also made it plain that this
justification is available to us through faith in Christ, saying,

“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through the

Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).


Justification by faith involves repentance and baptism, 

coming forth from the watery grave of baptism into
“Newness of life” (Rom. 6:1-6).


Mere New Year’s resolutions will not accomplish this,
but a personal commitment to Jesus Christ,
the Son of God in faith and obedience to His word,
as Peter explained it:

“Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit… being born again…

by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”

(1 Pet. 1:22-23).

Have you yet received this new life?

- Ron Bartanen

Edited by H.C.

***
 

I just love Phil Wickham’s song…
The Jesus Way…

A Beautiful song with
a powerful message!


Friend,
Will You Choose
The Jesus Way?

“And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will attract all people toward Me.”

John 12:32


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fhv4arL3yk