As we enter another year and review our lives, maybe you dread what 2010 may hold; life without a loved one, the empty nest, chronic illness, or unemployment. Some of us may be overcome with regrets and memories, or be pursued by an accusing conscience and a longing to find refuge. God loves to take people at “the end of their tether” and offer them forgiveness, peace, joy and victory. He is the expert at drying tears, calming fears and injecting courage into anxious hearts. Your priority should be to consider your spiritual condition, for to die in your sin, is to be a lost soul for ever.
If you know this to be so, let me point you to the’ Roman Road’ as found in Romans 8:34. Lay hold on the first part of this verse. “Christ died” Through His atoning death there is forgiveness for sin and cleansing from guilt.
If you are contending with temptations, evil influences, destructive habits or a critical attitude, claim the second part of the same verse. “Yea rather, is risen again.” The Lord Jesus, who conquered death and hell, is the remedy. He can enable you to overcome your enemies too.
If you are beset by troubles, grasp the third part of the verse. “Who is even at the right hand of God.” He is in control of everything. The hymn writer summed it up when he wrote: ”All your anxiety, all your care, bring to the mercy seat, leave it there; Never a burden He cannot bear, Never a friend like Jesus.”
If you fear that you could not live the Christian life, lack assurance or are overcome by doubts, focus your mind on the next section of verse 34. “Who also maketh intercession for us.” What a promise, realize that Jesus prays for us and wants you to trust in Him. Let go of all the things that haunt your mind. Your enemy Satan, is too strong for you. Flee to the Saviour, He is waiting to receive and rescue you. God promises in Ezekiel 36:26-27: “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. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.” You are safe and secure when you lean on the everlasting arms, of the One who can make all things new, including you.
Paul says in Romans 8; 38-39. “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What an all encompassing truth, and what an all complete Saviour, Jesus is to those who receive Him in faith. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3)
When you commit your life to the Lord, He lives in you. He will also keep growing in you, until He comes out in what you say, how you act and react and in the decisions you make. You have access to His limitless power 24/7.
Only a fool goes through life unprepared for what will inevitably happen. Those who are savingly united to Christ don’t need to fear death. It may be the last hour of your allotted time on earth, but it won’t be the end of you. The Bible says, this life is like a “vapour” which passeth away, but the consequences of what choice you make will last for ever. It is therefore imperative that you choose this day whom ye will serve, for you cannot serve two masters. “It is time to seek the Lord.” (Hosea 10:12)
In Isaiah 43:19, God’s Word says, He will “do a new thing..” so disregard your circumstances and trust the Lord who cannot lie. Do not miss, what may be your last opportunity to invite Him into your heart and life as Saviour and Lord. When you commit yourself to His care, He forgives you when you fail, mends you when you are broken, provides for you when you face loss and when you die, He takes you Home to be with Him for evermore. Your future is assured in Him.
11 Corinthians 5:17 tells us: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
If you are unsaved, or a backslider, why not receive Him now as your personal Saviour and best Friend?
It is my earnest prayer that you will start the New Year, with a New Beginning in Christ.