GET A NEW YOU IN THE NEW YEAR

Proclamation:

“… I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares The Sovereign Lord.  Repent!  Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.  Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.  For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares The Sovereign Lord.  Repent and live!”  Ezekiel 18:30-32 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Ezekiel.  The Lord God spoke to Ezekiel and told him to tell the people of Israel that because He is who He is, He will clean them up, forgive their sins, give them a new heart and a new spirit if they repent and turn from their sinful ways.  God will judge each of them and only those who repent will live.

Application:

When judgement day comes, each of us will have to give an account for all of our thoughts, words, and actions.  All of us will be judged and the judgement will start with the believers.  Those of us who have been faithful servants of The Lord will be rewarded. (Matthew 25:21)  Those who have not accepted Jesus, The Christ, as their personal savior will not have their names recorded in The Lamb’s book of life and they will be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)  The key to eternal life involves repentance from sin, belief in Christ, and a new heart and new spirit which come from God.  We can change, but we have to ask God for His help, for only God can change our heart and give us a new spirit.  Don't let your lack of belief and your sins lead you to permanent ruin.  If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)  As we approach the beginning of the New Year, let us be mindful of the fact that all of our thoughts, words, and actions will be judged.  We need for God to create within us a clean heart and mind. (Psalm 51:10)  May we all be blessed to enjoy a closer walk with The Lord in the New Year, and in all of the years to come. (Psalm 89:15)