New Start

A fresh new start. When we have made errors or life itself has just become too hard to endure, we long for a fresh new start. As Christians, we gain this new start when we are grafted into the body of Christ. The old has passed away and we are given a fresh new way (2 Corinthians 5:17, AMPC). When we become followers of Christ, we are submitting to new principles and rules. It is not just a simple washing away from a believer’s heart their filthy ways of life, but an exchanging of the old heart for a new heart. Christ, our ultimate example, demonstrated for us how to live with a new heart. Before we were against God or indifferent to Him, but now, with a new heart, we want our heart to beat in harmony with Christ and Father God.

 

The exchange of heart is not just a New Testament principle. In Ezekiel 36:25-38 a similar passage regarding Israel’s Restoration. The Hebrew is interesting especially the phrase “I will take away” regarding the stony heart. It literally means, “to turn off.” From this, we learn that God can turn off our propensity to sin. Both 2 Corinthians 5, and Ezekiel 36 are explaining the regenerative work of God. Water signifies cleansing in the Ezekiel passage. Similarly, New Testament teachings of Water Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change, or the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

 

It is interesting to think of the Psalmist and his cry in Psalm 51:10 (AMPC), “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” The Psalmist uses the same Hebrew word found in Genesis 1:1 (AMPC), “In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.” This Hebrew word is בָּרָא bârâʼ, baw-raw'; a primitive root; (absolutely) to create. Out of nothing God created the heavens and the earth and all the fullness thereof (Psalms 24:1). When God made man (Genesis 2:7), He formed him. The Hebrew word for “formed” is יָצַר yâtsar, yaw-tsar', which has a different contextual understanding than the word “created” (bârâʼ). To be formed (yâtsar) means to take a substance that already exist and make something new with it. To create out of nothing is the meaning for the word “created” (bârâʼ). The Psalmist is saying, “Do not just remake my existing heart, but you, the Creator of all things, create a brand new heart for me.”

 

When we release the creative forces of God in our life real changes begin to occur. It is God, our King, who commanded victories for Israel (Psalm 44:4). He will command victories in your life if you will allow Him. When you allow the creative forces of God to create a clean heart in you, renewing your spirit, you find the fresh new start you were looking for. When we accept Christ as our Savior, or turn to Him in the midst of our crisis, it is then that the creative work begins to happen. It is then with the removal of our defilement and the lighting of our burdens occurs. With every trial, He desires to create a new heart perspective that renews our spirit to trust in Him.

Having a relationship with God provides hope when we are overwhelmed or exhausted. In our waiting, He renews our strength (Isaiah 40:31). We can come to Christ when we are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28-29). Our soul can find rest when we focus on God and His provisions (Psalm 62:1). Job 11:16-19 is a great passage to pray over yourself when you are overwhelmed and miserable.

For you shall forget your misery; you shall remember it as waters that pass away. And [your] life shall be clearer than the noonday and rise above it; though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning. And you shall be secure and feel confident because there is hope; yes, you shall search about you, and you shall take your rest in safety. You shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yes, many shall sue for your favor. (Job 11:16-19, AMPC)

 

We can also find comfort from the book of Hebrews.

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (Hebrews 13:5, AMPC)

In the end, we know that from His throne Christ will declare, “Behold, I am making all things new."

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17, AMPC)