Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 

2 Corinthians 5:17

It's that time of year. We are trying to get healthy, get organized, exercise more, eat less . . .  the list is endless, right? I agree that a new start is always a good idea. We should be trying to better ourselves in lots of ways.

Striving toward excellence in our lives is a great thing. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17). Paul encourages us in Colossians that everything we do, we should do it in Jesus’ name. He deserves our best!

So this year many of us also want to be a “better Christian.” We feel that we haven’t held up our end of the bargain, so now we are going to try harder. We want to start off this year better.

Honestly, I don’t think we should ever try to be a “better Christian.” What does that even mean? We are followers of Christ, and He has saved us. We can’t do anything that deserves His grace toward us.

Our little human minds have a hard time understanding God’s Grace. Sometimes we feel as though we have to perform a certain way to deserve grace, but it’s just not true. Guess what? You will NEVER measure up, and neither will I, on our own. When the Lord looks on us, He sees us through the blood of Christ. It’s a crimson filter that cleanses us. He does not see us as who we WERE, but who we ARE in Christ. We are new. Let’s not get bogged down in the “old,” let’s rejoice in the new!

In 2019 let’s challenge ourselves to make our relationship with the Lord a priority. As He changes us through His presence, we will in turn honor him with our best, our lives.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). 

Julie Smith