In This Issue:
New Things
Why Are They Different?
Volume: 939 January 8, 2024
Theme: Changes
Get the New Testament reading schedule at:
https://openthoumineeyes.com/assets/readntt.pdf
Living a biblical lifestyle is certainly the old way, the way much of mankind has lived for over 6,000 years. Living that way may be “old-fashioned” to some, but there are many new things that obeying and living for the Lord can offer.
Here are some of the new things God still offers and desires all to have and experience:
A new birth. When one becomes a child of God, he has a new spiritual birth. He is a new, different creature.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3: 3
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17
A new joy, happiness, and purpose. Being born again is wonderful. It comes with new chances in life with great joy and happiness.
“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods” Psalms 96:1-3
“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” Psalms 40:3 Also: Psalms 98:1.
A new heart. God gives, along with salvation, a new “heart” that has new desires, purposes, and hopes.
“Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11: 17-20 These verses were written about the people of Israel, but the principle can apply to us.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
A new outlook. Life is seen differently by a child of God. When one is saved, educated from the Word of God, and obedient to it, life looks a lot different. Activities and actions of the past now may appear contrary to God’s commands and harmful rather than “fun.” The “old, dead” Bible now becomes alive and helpful.
“Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.” Isaiah 46:6
A new life (a new mind). Along with other new blessings comes the “mind of Christ” which thinks much differently than before the new birth.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:22-27
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:10
A new day filled with second chances and other opportunities. Just as a new day brings fresh opportunities and expectations, God gives the born again soul a second chance in life.
“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
A new testament; new covenant. A “testament” is a document declaring the will and desires of a person. The New Testament that God gave man is not only part of the Bible, but it is His will and the new covenant (commitments or promises) He made with man. It tells of God’s will for man in this church age.
“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, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Mat. 26:27-28
“And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” Mark 14: 24
A new world. One day, God will destroy this world, and a new one will be created.
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered.” Isaiah 65:7
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Rev. 21:1-2
“If you have not experienced many of the first six changes mentioned above, you may not be saved! Gulp! “ — Bill Brinkworth
Why Are They Different?
Bill Brinkworth
Luke 7:36-48 answers a question some have. They wonder, ”Why are so many second-generation Christians not having the same enthusiasm and excitement about the things of God and serving Him as their parents did?”
In those Luke 7 verses, we read of a very sinful woman. Many have supposed from her description that she was a harlot. When the woman found Jesus was nearby, she visited Him. She wept as she washed Jesus’ road-weary feet with her tears and anointed Him with ointment. Because of her apparent love and respect for Jesus and her broken-heartedness over her past sins, Jesus forgave her.
A parable (Luke 7:41-42) given by Christ explains the key to her broken spirit over her guilt. The Saviour’s teaching story taught that the one that was forgiven the most was the most appreciative and loving of the Saviour.
This explains why some today, with a sinful past, are the most appreciative after being saved. Drunkards have gotten saved from the clutches of alcohol, and when they got saved, they have a different, hopeful future. Adulterers who have seen relationships crumble from rampant sin have become faithful, loyal spouses after becoming born again.
Violent men have become excellent, peaceful fathers after the Saviour came into their lives and changed them from the inside out. When millions of sin-torn lives trusted the Saviour’s sacrifice and received God’s pardon for their sins, they were transformed.
After those rescued souls got closer to God and learned what He wanted for them, they made things right that were wrong. They usually concluded that exposure to the ungodly worldliness encouraged them to make wrong turns. To prevent their loved ones from making the same bad decisions, they did all they could to keep others from going the wrong way.
Parents made sure their children were in church. Families had daily Bible-reading devotions. Financial sacrifices were made to send children to Christian schools so they would not be polluted by secular education.
With all the effort put into them, often those second-generation Christians, although they may have gotten saved, still went in the wrong spiritual direction. The children, although insulated from powerful, sinful influences, got the desire to “taste” sin. The allure of the shiny things of this world has often led the second generation right back into the mire from which the previous generation was rescued.
Why does this happen so often? Unfortunately, our sinful nature often prohibits us from learning from those who have learned a lesson the hard way. We ignore advice from those who have already traveled the wrong road and must learn the lesson for ourselves — sometimes the dangerous path.
It would save much heartache, grief, and destroyed lives if people would listen to those warning them of the wrong direction in which they are headed. No one should have to repeat the errors of others!
“Insanity is following the bad examples of others and expecting a different result!” — Author Unknown