[279 words]
“Happy New Year” is an expression that we throw about. But do we really mean it? As you enter the new year, is your life filled with Joy?
As a Christian, you have many reasons to be joyful. May I mention a few?
All your sins have been forgiven. When you came up from the waters of baptism complete and total forgiveness was yours (Acts 2:38). If you have remained faithful all your sins are constantly washed clean by Jesus’ blood (1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:2).
All your prayers are being answered (1 John 5:14-15). Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes it is “I have a better idea.” But in all cases, you prayers are being answered. And each answer is for your eventual best outcome (Romans 8:28).
As Christians, God will “draw near to us.” Often, we hear people say: “I feel like God doesn’t care.” Or they say, “God doesn’t like me.” The fact is, those folks are probably not making the effort to come close to Him. In the Old Testament, we read: “You will seek Him and find Him when you search for Him with your whole heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). In the New Testament, we find similar passages attesting to this truth. For example, consider Hebrews 2:1: “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard (the message of Christ), so that we do not drift away.”
There are many other reasons to be joyful in Christ as we approach the New Year. But please remember: this is “Joy in Christ” because true joy doesn’t exist outside of Christ.
Happy New Year!
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX