In the last several hours remaining before we enter into a new year, it wouldn’t do any harm to meditate on things that are “new.” The Bible has a lot to say about the subject, actually:

When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we are made new creatures.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – II Corinthians 5:17

(If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, you can read more about that here.)

Because we are new creatures, God expects us to live a new life– a life that is Spirit-filled, righteous, and holy. We are to love one another.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” -Ephesians 4:22-24

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”- Romans 6:4

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” -John 13:34

And one day, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and we will be given a new name.

“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 righteousness.” -II Peter 3:11-13

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” -Revelation 2:17

“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.” -Revelation 21:1

God loves to take things that are old, worn, and broken and turn them into something new and beautiful! He does this with the lost soul; He does it with the Christian’s life; He does it with the whole world! In light of all this newness, “what manner of persons ought ye to be?” Perhaps this could be your New Years resolution for 2018: to live as the new creature God has made you to be.