Things that Are New

“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28 NKJV)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34 NKJV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13 NKJV)

Our Love of Things that are New

As we come into another (man-made) calendar year, we all are hoping that this New Year will bring us great blessings.  Some of us will buy a new car (or a new used car).  Some of us will see new life as children are born into our families.  Some of us will buy new (or new to us) houses.  Some of us will join new churches.  Some of us will embark on new adventures and trips to foreign countries.  Looking forward to something new is always a motivating force in our lives.

Unfortunately, as life progresses we all find out that old age brings its share of new things as well.  We have new sorrows as we lose friends and loved ones to this thing called death.  We have new aches and pains as we recognize that Arthur Ritus is making his presence known.  Some of us can almost forecast the weather without listening to a weather forecast.  Some of us have other “new” health issues that are associated with aging bodies.  But what encourages me are the “new” things that we who are “saved” are going to experience.  

New Things That Should Encourage Us

We need to be thankful that because of the new birth we are under a new covenant.  We don’t have to be Jews keeping the Old Testament laws to be true worshipers of Jehovah.  The new covenant came into being when Christ died (it required the death of the testator).  It is succinctly stated in Romans 5:6-8 or in John 3:16 or in John 3:36.  We need to read those passages and we need to recognize that in trusting in the Lord by trusting His promises we are new creatures in Christ.  God sees us as righteous even if we don’t always act righteously.  Acting righteously requires us to set his new commandment to love one another as He has loved us as our goal and standard.  

But while I would like a new computer (this one has its problems), the new thing that really trips my trigger is the promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth where righteousness dwells.  We may all disagree on the prophetic plan that we think might get us to the New Heaven and New Earth, but we have to believe in the promise.  One day that New Heaven and New Earth is going to be enjoyed by those of us who have been given “new life” through faith in what Christ did for us at the cross.  We will not get there by what we are doing for Christ but we will get there by faith in what He did for us.  Our response to His love for us will be (or should be) to love one another as He has loved us.  That is the evidence of this new life.  But this new life is going to be lived one day in a New Heaven and a New Earth.  Satan will no longer be the deceiver and seducer.  Love and Light will always be present. Darkness will be a thing of the past.

I get kind of excited when I think about the New Heaven and the New Earth.  I don’t know if that refers to the millennial reign of Christ or if it refers to the eternal day after the last rebellion of Satan and those who follow him.  I suspect both may be in view.  But nevertheless, this new year, make sure that one day you will be with other believers and with the Lord in something that will be new, never to grow old again.

Bruce Collins

Meditation for the week of January 4, 2026

If you would like further conversation about the issues in these meditations, contact me at collinsbd@yahoo.com and I will try to accommodate you with a virtual Bible Study.