January 1

Three Thoughts

You are not defined by your past anymore. That old version of you died with Jesus. So don't try to become new, understand that you already are! The transformation happened the moment you believed.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

We need to stop trying to clean ourselves up for God. He didn't save the "fixed" version of us. He saved the broken one. Now He's doing the work of making us new from the inside out. Our job isn't to earn it, it's to believe it.

EPHESIANS 4:22-24

Baptism is a picture of our new life. When we get baptized, we go under the water and the old stayed there. Then we come up breathing new air as a new creation. It isn't just symbolic, it's the reality in Christ. If you've never been baptized, find a way to do it this year!

ROMANS 6:4

Two Quotes

Bishop and scholar N.T. Wright on our new lives:

"The Christian life is not about pleasing God the finger-shaker and judge. It's about learning to live in the new world of the kingdom of God, the world we are in through baptism."

Pastor and author Timothy Keller on the gospel message:

"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."

Prayer

God, I'm still learning what it means to be made new. Some days I feel like the old me, stuck in the same patterns and making the same mistakes. Help me believe what You say is true: that the old is gone and the new has come. Teach me to walk in this new life with confidence and freedom this year. Amen.

Question

What's one thing about your "old self" that you're still holding onto that God says is already gone?

See you next Thursday,
Zach

P.S. That livestream reading of the New Testament was the most INSANELY COOL thing I think I've ever done. And now I'm mentally exhausted lol time to take a few days off with friends and family :) Happy New Year!