Seven New Things Needful for a Happy New Year
1. A New Way
"A new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh" (Hebrews 10:20). The first in order is a way opened for us, as sinners, into the presence of God. Without the enjoyment of "peace with God" how can we have a Happy New Year? This, Christ has provided for us, and one of the many tokens of God’s acceptance of His work on our behalf was "the rent veil" showing that the way to God was opened by the Cross.
2. A New Creation
"If any man be in Christ he is a new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God has a sphere in which all things are new, because all is of Him. Therein He has set all His people, in virtue of the redemption which Christ has wrought, as possessors of the life which is in Him, and part of that new race of which He is the Head. According to this "rule of life" we are to walk (Galatians 6:15).
3. New Mercies
"It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23). Many things wear out, "wax old as doth a garment," we ourselves among them, but the ceaseless stream of our Father’s love and care flows on the same. All here below changes and fades, but herein is the old that is ever new. Strength as our days-renewed like the eagles; mercies fresh from His hand, witnessing "He careth for us"; our fears disappointed and hopes crowned; and mercy and grace for seasonable help, all tell of His untiring love.
4. A New Song
"Sing unto the Lord a new song. He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God" (Psalm 33:3; 40:3). "Praise is comely for the upright," and the sure mark of the "Blessed people who know the joyful sound" is that they praise the God of their salvation. "O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" (Psalm 107). "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name" (Hebrews 13:15).
5. A New Commandment
A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another" (John 13:34). As debtors to His "everlasting love," He bids us love one another. There may be much, very much to test that love in the objects of it. But as the heart abides in His love, so will it learn to cultivate a love, superior to the strain put upon it, as the apostle says, "I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved" (2 Corinthians 12:15). The Lord increases our measure of it!
6. A New Man
"Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). Our whole former condition is now gone from before God-what once characterized us as sinners, or men "in the flesh." Now as we have by faith "put on the new man," we are exhorted to carry it out in practice, shunning what is contrary to our new condition, and adopting what is suitable to it. Such it is to "learn Christ" and to be taught "the truth as it is in Jesus." May it be ours!
7. A New Lump
"Purge out the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened" (1 Corinthians 5:7). Such is the manner of persons we ought to be-those who, redeemed by the blood of the lamb, "keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." As separated to God we are to "purge out" the leaven of the world, hypocrisy and rationalism, and of evil doctrines, morals, and associations. Thus alone do we "keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."
May we thus realize "A Happy New Year!"
