The Ultimate New Beginning

We often think of new beginnings this time of year. It's a chance at a fresh start… an opportunity to begin again. We promise to do things we didn't do before and not to do things we've done in the past.

Jesus offers the ultimate new beginning. When we come to Christ we have a chance to leave behind all the mistakes that we've made and stand before God cleansed and free. Does this mean that all the consequences and accountability are erased, also? No, my friend, there are times when we still have to pay a price for our choices. But… we can release the shame and guilt and the burden of our past mistakes. Second Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

There is a transformation that takes place when we give our hearts and lives to God. This transformation allows us to stand before God as holy and righteous. This righteousness isn't of our own doing, but is ours through the acceptance of what Christ did for us on the cross and the blood that was shed as a sacrifice for our sins. Our lives are blotched with sin and can never be perfect. But God looks at those who have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior through a veil of the blood of Jesus and sees us as righteous and holy. Even the highest esteemed Christians still miss the mark and make mistakes. But when we realize our sin and repent, we are once again cleansed.

So many people think that they have done too much in the past or are too far gone in the place they are now to come to this place of righteousness. But there is nothing… nothing… that cannot be covered by the blood of Jesus and forgiven by the Father. This kind of thinking comes from trying to earn that righteousness through our own doing… which is impossible. It is only through the blood that we can be made righteous.

As I was thinking about this, I thought of the disciple Peter. He was very close to Jesus… one of His best friends… and yet Peter failed Him horribly. Peter had sworn his allegiance to Jesus. He had declared that he would die for Jesus. But when it came down to it Peter denied the Lord, not just once, but three times, even cursing His very name. He had failed Jesus miserably. But after Jesus had risen from the grave, He came to Peter personally and restored the relationship. Jesus never holds a grudge. He will never hold your mistakes over your head.

So no matter where you've been… no matter where you are now… this is your chance to start this year off in a very special way. This is your opportunity to let go of the guilt and shame of the past and look forward to a fresh start. The statement of the apostle Paul states it perfectly in Philippians 3:13-14 , “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

His Princess

Love Letters From Your King

By Sheri Rose Shepherd

  www.HisPrincess.com

My Princess…

It's Never Too Late

The Lord said: It isn't too late.

You can still return to Me with all your heart.

Joel 2:12 CEV

It is never too late to turn to Me, My love. I didn't start a countdown when I gave you the choice between life and death. There is no time limit on My love for you. I am patient, yet I don't want you to miss out on any precious time with Me. There is no place you have to go to find Me. Just cry out to Me, and I will come to you. Wherever you've gone My grace has followed you. Whatever you've done My blood has covered you. Come to Me today, and I will do more than repair the damage done… I will restore what was lost. Someday you will look back on this moment as the turning point that transformed you into the princess I called you to be. Now come to Me, and let's fall in love all over again.

Love,

Your King who knows no limits