A Fresh Start

<p>The Chinese New Year, celebrated by Chinese families everywhere, is tied to the lunar calendar. Usually falling somewhere in late January to mid&ndash;February, this time for family reunions comes with many traditions&mdash;some of great significance. Buying and donning new clothes, giving our homes a good cleaning, and paying off outstanding debts remind us that we are putting the past behind and starting the year with a clean slate.</p> <p>These traditions also remind me of our new life in Christ. No matter who we used to be or what we&rsquo;ve done, we can put it all behind us. We can stop beating ourselves up over our past and let go of the guilt, knowing we are completely forgiven because of Jesus&rsquo; death on the cross. And we can start afresh, knowing we can rely on the Holy Spirit to daily transform us so we will be more like Jesus.</p> <p>That&rsquo;s why Paul reminds believers that &ldquo;the old has gone, the new is here!&rdquo; (2 Corinthians 5:17). We too can say this because of the simple but powerful truth: God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and no longer counts our sins against us (v. 19).</p> <p>Others around us may not be willing to forget our past wrongdoing, but we can take heart that in God&rsquo;s eyes, we are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). As Paul points out: &ldquo;If God is for us,&nbsp;who can be against us?&rdquo; (v. 31). Let&rsquo;s enjoy the fresh start God has given us through Jesus.</p>