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As we start a new year I think about a new beginning. Did you know that the Bible talks about a new beginning? It does, what a joy to anyone that has failed or struggled with anything in life. As a drug addict I struggled greatly, and many times failed on the road to recovery. I was a Christian living in sin and could not seem to win over it. I knew what the Bible said about my lifestyle and even cried over it. Here are some verses that I am referring to: Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers (one who is lewd), and sorcerers (Greek: pharmakeus, those who use and sell drugs), and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Also, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

We all fall into one of these categories at some point but there is hope. The hope comes in the form of Jesus Christ. I am glad it doesn’t end there because verse 11 of 1 Corinthians 6 starts out “And such were some of you”. This tells me that anyone in these categories can get right with God and avoid the end that comes with it. By knowing Jesus and making Him Lord of our life we can overcome these things in our lives as Paul wrote such were, past tense, some of you. Also this not only applies to the person who doesn’t know Christ, but also applies to the one who has fallen or in some cases jumped back into the sin. Paul was writing to the church of Corinth because they were going back to their old ways and was setting them in order that that is no longer who they are. They need to get right with God and leave those things.

So what is it that changes us? The answer is given in 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I see three things that happen to us that not only help us to become right with God but also to stay right as we are always vulnerable to sin. First, we are washed (cleaned completely) by Jesus blood; we have no more stain of sin in our lives. Second, we are sanctified (made holy) by the Holy Spirit coming into us and guiding us. And thirdly, we are justified (rendered innocent or made free) by the resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ; showing He took the penalty for our sin and that God the Father accepted that payment on our behalf.

So, finally, what does this mean? Whether you have ever put your faith in Christ or not you are capable of committing these sins and struggling in them. The answer is in turning to Christ, the change must come from and through Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Also Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. As we begin this new year let us turn to Jesus and allow Him to make us and break us as He sees fit, so we will not do those old things but be the new man that He has made and is making us to be.