January, 2008

     In January we think of the new year, a new beginning, a new start.  With these thoughts in mind, consider the following scriptures from the Bible.

"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,  Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the new testament..."   Matthew 26:28

     At Jesus' last Supper with his disciples before his crucifixion, he re-interpreted the bread (this is my body given for you) and the cup (this is my blood of the new covenant).  The old covenant was lived under the Jewish Law.  The new covenant is lived under the grace of God through Christ.  Jesus Christ poured out his blood as he died on the Roman cross, establishing the new covenant of  grace whereby we, by faith, are enabled to become children of God.  (See Eph. 2:8-9 & Rom. 10:9-13)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."              2 Corinthians 5:17

     When a person is spiritually born by the Holy Spirit (see John 3:1-18) by faith in Christ, he or she is transformed into a new person, changed from the inside out. 

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."                      Revelation 21:3-5

     At the end of this world as we know it now, the end of this age, when Jesus returns, he will recreate everything better than it was in the very beginning.  He will make all things new.  It will be better because instead of just visiting us, God will live with us forever.

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