A Fresh Start

By Jared Green     With each new year comes the opportunity to better ourselves. Many people are just a few days into their New Year’s resolutions. That may mean eating healthier, exercising more, spending more time with family and less time at work, or studying the Bible more. New beginnings are exciting, but for many, the resolutions—and the excitement that goes with them—will not last beyond January. I believe it is fair to say that finding a resolution that is sustainable is just as important as the resolution itself.     Spiritually speaking, Paul talks in detail in Colossians 2 about the beauty of the fresh start that we find in Christ Jesus. Speaking of the death and resurrection experienced upon our baptism, he says, “…having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses” (Colossians 2:12-13).     What a blessing it is to experience death to our old selves and resurrection to new lives in Christ Jesus. You likely remember the feeling of joy and freedom that accompanied your baptism into Christ. There is no greater feeling than a fresh start in Christ! An important consideration we must make, however, is how to sustain that fresh start. The devil undoubtedly works his way back into the lives of newborn Christians as soon as possible. How, then, do we overcome those temptations and remain faithfully committed to Christ?     For some in Paul’s Colossian audience, the answer to that question was sheer, human willpower. Some were attempting to remain faithful by regulating their lives according to the Law of Moses. Others were living ascetic lives, stripping themselves of any joys which could potentially lead to sin. To those Christians, Paul taught, “These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (v. 23). So then, if human willpower alone is of no value in stopping sin and remaining faithful, what are we to do?     Paul’s message: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (3:1-3). Christians are called to both new perspectives and new priorities. According to Paul, the way to remain faithful is to begin living my life, spending my time, and focusing my mind on the Lord rather than myself. When I make him the focus of my life, and when I keep my heavenly goal at the forefront of my mind, the things of this world will no longer have the pull they once did. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

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