Ephesians 4:17-24 When Christ comes into our lives, He doesn't just repair the old, He gives us the brand new. In II Cor.5:17 we are told: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" You might say, "If that is true, why am I still struggling with old ideas and habits?" Perhaps it's like taking your car in for repair. You're having a broken part replaced. When you go in to pick up your car, you are given the right to have or at least to inspect the part that was removed from your car. The idea is so that you can know that it really did need to be replaced. With the broken car part, it is a "no brainer" that you dispose of the part. Perhaps God leaves us with the old life along with the new life that He has installed, so that we can see that it is broken and needs to be thrown away. The problem is that we most often don't throw it away; we try to use it again. But God in His great goodness and wisdom knew us in our frail and rebellious nature. He provided for opportunities to start again. He went searching for Adam and Eve after they had sinned in the garden. He sent prophet after prophet telling His people to repent and return to Him. He sent His Son to rebuild the bridge back to Himself. He established the year of jubilee so that after 49 years of messing everything up properties were returned, debts were cancelled, and slaves were freed. Lev. 25:10ff. Actually, each new day is an opportunity to start again. After a night's rest, the sun comes up and we can start again. Lament. 3:22f "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Psalm 30:5 "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

God of New Starts