We can get caught up in regrets over what we didn’t accomplish in the last year, mistakes we made, or relationships we failed to nurture. Let’s instead use the New Year as a time to reflect on all we have new in Christ Jesus. Then let’s consider how to live out that newness in the New Year, “making the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5).
First Reflect on the New Life We Have in Christ
God encourages us to take off the old and put on the new (Eph. 4:22-32; Col. 3:1-17). Our old way is “corrupted by its deceitful desires” but our new life in Christ is “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” which affects even the “attitude of our minds” (Eph. 4:22-24). What kind of difference will it make going forward if we truly live in the newness of life Jesus came to give us? Begin by reflecting on that new life.
Check out the Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides which includes 14 different holidays. It looks at what we have new in Christ with Scripture to back it up and questions to reflect on how it should affect us going into a new year.
Also read: What We Have New in Christ Jesus
New Life in Christ for New Opportunities in the New Year
Let’s be real: Living in accordance with our new life in Christ won’t change everything around us. But it will change us and enable us to use whatever comes our ways as opportunities to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16).
Our circumstances might not change, but our perspective toward life will change as we see through new eyes. — We have faith.
The world might seem to keep getting worse, but our reactions toward it will change as we understand with a new mind. — We have hope.
People around us might not change, but our attitude toward them will change as we respond with a new heart. — We have love.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:12-13)