A Christian's New Year Start

By PASTOR ED RICE

GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH

54 MAIN STREET - BOX 99 -- DRESDEN, NEW YORK 14441

www.gsbaptistchurch.com

The Bible says "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2Cor 5:17) The question that looms before man because he is already proven to be more than an evolved animal is "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" The Christian has found the answer to that question in the salvation experience described in the Holy Bible.

The answer there is also contained in our label that you must be 'IN CHRIST' Now the Holy Bible goes on to describe characteristics that show up in a person if they are truly Christian, and this verse is a key indicator of the internal changes that one finds in himself if that be true. As we step out into each new year it is always wise to examine ourself, to insure that we are 'IN CHRIST' and then evaluate ourself to find old things passing away and all things becoming new.

The 'Church' itself has become an enemy of the first examination, so it would behoove you to go straight to the word of the Apostles. Check out Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul and Peter on 'Getting In Christ'.

Therein you must, be converted to enter into Christ in Matt 18:3; Repent and believe in Mark 1:15; Repent or perish in Luke 13:3; Be born again by belief in John 3:16-18,36, 1John 5:12-13; Believe and call upon Christ in Romans 10:9-10,13; and be begotten by the resurrected Christ in 1Pet 1:3-5, 2Pet 1:1-4.

There are no sacraments, works, penance, baptisms, memberships nor confirmation classes in the marvelous Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you 'IN CHRIST' today? It is hard to act Christian. Most don't 'act' that well anyway. It is easy to be Christian. Stop the act and get 'In Christ.'

Now, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." The English language would be well served if it maintained it's accuracy (i.e. not modernized) and contained an Aorist tense. Such a tense would be a combination of past tense, when a verb started it's action, present tense, when a verb is currently acting, and future tense, guaranteeing that the action would continue on and on.

Such would be the verb in this verse 'are passed away'. In this new year, for a real Christian, we can look back and see some vices, habits, attitudes and sins that passed away last year, and some that need to pass this year. In this new year, for a real Christian, we can look back and see some studies, habits, attitudes and virtues that became new last year, and some that need to be added this year. This is a growth check, don't shrink from it.

It was Peter that said "giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Be Christian and have a 'fruitful' new year.