All Things New

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold , I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

As we come into the new year, it is a time to think about new beginnings. I’m not one to make resolutions, since those will just be forgotten quickly, but we can take time to consider things that God makes new.

Maybe we should start from the beginning. In the first chapter of Genesis, we find God creating. As part of His great creation, He made mankind. It was all new and crisp then. However, man sinned (disobeyed God) and the crisp newness was gone. Along came the curse of sin that makes everything get old and decay.

However, our God is a God of renewal. God was never caught off guard by the sin of man, nor was He concerned about the effects of the curse, because He always had a plan to renew what was broken. Everything that we see around us is essentially broken and growing old, even the very earth. But, God has a plan for renewal.

First things first. To start with, God had to make it exceedingly clear that man is not able to change his lot nor improve anything that is affected by the curse. Man cannot help himself to renew his relationship with God, nor could he fix any of creation that is decaying because of the curse.

God gave the Law to Israel to show that even they, who had been called by God and had seen God’s miraculous works, would not be able to get themselves righteous with God. The purpose of the Law is to show the futility of man trying to fix the decay of sin. The old nature is still the old nature, and cannot be made new by man’s efforts.

God always had a plan, and His plan was to bring about, by Himself, a new covenant (testament) that would be based on a new creation. Hebrews 8:7-8. It starts with Jesus who would have to come to dwell among us (Emmanuel), and give Himself a sacrifice for our sins. This would provide man with a new fellowship with God. Hebrews 10:19-20. 

Jesus’ sacrifice provided for us a new nature. It wasn’t enough to try to fix up the old nature, it must be replaced with a new one. This is what we find in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, and Colossians 3:10. We find in Romans 6:6, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” So, provisionally, the “old” nature is crucified with Jesus, and this is necessary in order for there to be a “new” nature that enables us to live for God.

Providing a new creation life for us is the greatest renewal ever. But, it doesn’t end there. If we have agreed with God that our old creation is crucified with Christ, there is a continual renewal of our mind that must take place daily. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2.

The renewing of the mind is accomplished by studying God’s Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the truths that we need daily in our lives. The world is continually assaulting our mind with things that are of the old nature, and we need to have a continual renewal of our minds.

The next thing that will be renewed, is this world. Looking around, it appears that there is no way to save this earth and it is clearly decaying. However, God has a plan. He will create a new earth and new heavens. We find this mentioned in 2 Peter 3: 10-13 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous- ness.”

While this is in a future time (might not be very far in the future), this is a promise that we look forward to. God will make all things new. What a glorious day that will be, as we join our Lord in the heavenly city which will also be new. 

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2

And there, we will sing a new song of praise to Him. Revelation 5:9. We have good reason to sing praises to Him then. However, we have good reason to sing praises to Him now, because He has made us a new creation in Christ Jesus.

If you are looking for a new start in the new year, do not look to yourself and some resolution, but look to Jesus Christ who offers a new creation, a new life, a new outlook on life, as all things are made new for those that are in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17. Remember that God is in the business of renewal, and He alone can change your life today.

If Jesus tarries, we will continue to live our lives to His glory by yielding to the new life of Christ that dwells in us. And we will continue to look and long for His coming.

Gordon Crook