The Newness of Life

Summary

With the new year comes a chance to put the successes and failures of the previous year behind us and start the year with a clean slate. To many this period of calm and perspective comes as a great relief after the hectic holiday season. In this message, I liken that relief to the relief that we get when we are saved and the sins and mistakes of our past are removed from us through salvation and continued repentance. I go on to explain that God is a God of mercy that is interested in our future both here and in heaven rather than the past that we can no longer control. Through repentance, He removes the blight of our sins while refocusing us on His planned future for us. 

Scriptures Referenced

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. –Romans 6:4

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. –2 Corinthians 5:15

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. –Psalm 103:10-14 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. –Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. –1 John 1:9

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. –Luke 17:3-4

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein. –Romans 6:1-2

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. –2 Corinthians 7:9-10

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. –John 3:17
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. –John 10:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. –Revelation 12:10

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. –Romans 8:1-2

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. –Proverbs 1:23

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us- ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. –2 Peter 3:9

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. –Hebrews 4:15-16