Fresh Start part 4
I think one of the most important things about what happened at the cross is that Jesus not only gave His life FOR us, but He gave His life TO us. So when we're talking about a fresh start, we're not talking about someone just hitting the reset button so we can have a do-over. And that's a good thing. Because while we can (and should) learn from our mistakes... getting to try again on our own would still not be a very good scenario. Because, well, let me say it like this: "ANd Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). Or Luke 18:27, "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." See the key there? WITH God. And notice it doesn't say "FOR God." Remember, it is God working IN us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. That desire in your heart comes from Him. And the power to fulfill that desire comes from Him. It's all about Jesus because it's all about love. We don't have to try to live Jesus' life--and thank God for that, because nobody can live Jesus' life except Jesus--because He is living it in us, and through us, and as us. Again, He didn't just give it FOR us, He gave it TO us. So that we could partake of the Divine Nature. And EXPERIENCE His life by experiencing the love of the Father to His Son. And that's the difference between just getting a "do-over" and getting the gift of God, which is eternal life. Abundant life. Everlasting life. Resurrection Life. Jesus' life. A life filled with love. God loves us... and we love Him back by loving each other. That's what a fresh start is really all about. Not trying to get something we think we don't have, but knowing (and believing) that we have what we need... in abundance... and sharing what we've got! Not walking by sight--or sleepwalking--but walking by faith. Living by believing. I think people are desperate for something real these days. I think we've had it with the hampster wheel of religion, where we look really busy but never get anywhere, and we want something different. Something fresh. Something new. Not tripping and stumbling over the sin that so easily besets us, but laying it aside and walking in newness of life. Seeing everything under our feet and realizing that we HAVE overcome. Because JESUS OVERCAME. We don't need to conquer, because we are more than conquerors in Him. He already conquered. He finished the work, and we get to enjoy the fruit of His labor. The fruit of the Spirit, which is love. We get that fresh start where we don't have to drag the corpse of the old man--the body of sin--around anymore. We're free. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And the Spirit lives in you. So wherever you go... there you are. And wherever you are... there He is. Wherever you are... you're free. Free FROM the old way of "life." Free FROM the bondage of sin and death. And free TO experience Jesus' life. Free TO live and love. Free to BE loved. To experience love. And to share love. I know I say this all the time, but THE difference between life and death is love. To live is to love and to love is to live. They aren't just linked, they are the same thing. So when we talk about this fresh start... it's not a "do-over." It's Jesus. It's love!