All Things New

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

We speak of the new year in terms of a new beginning, new opportunities, new resolutions and so forth. The truth is, in our flesh, nothing is new. Ecc 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

We do not like to admit this, but it is nonetheless true. Man fancies himself free to change, but the wise Solomon, and the God Who inspired him, teach us contrary to our thinking. Man may resolve all manner of things, but the Ethiopian remains unable to change his skin, the leopard his spots, and the sinner his ways (Jer 13:23).

Even as believers, our flesh has not changed. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Mt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. The flesh has never been anything but weak, and in these disciples, it was nothing but. The word is “without strength.” Oh, wait, but I recall a word of cheer regarding those who are without strength. Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Thank God, He didn’t wait on this “without-strength” sinner to exercise something. He did something FOR me. Otherwise there would have been no change, nothing new.

At the prospect of a new year, I rejoice in the God Who makes all things new. Though, with regard to us, our ability, our nature, the thing that hath been, is that which shall be, our God is the Maker of things new. Considering what I have been and done, I like the word new.

We are already a new creation in Christ Jesus (2Cor 5:17). He said, “a new heart will I give you (Ez 36:26),” and He has. We wait for new heavens and a new earth (2Peter 3:13), wherein dwelleth righteousness. And I’m ready to learn the new song that we will sing unto the Lamb (Rev 14:3). You?

Pastor