With every new year, we anticipate the chance to start anew. We’re encouraged to focus on and set new goals as we leave behind the old. But living in and moving toward the new isn’t a once-a-year event in the life of a believer. Because of what Jesus has purchased for us on the cross, we’re encouraged to embrace the new possibilities the Lord has for us every moment of every day.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
We serve a God who is constantly and continuously working His will in our lives, transforming us and taking us from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). We are always being moved toward the newness of life that is found in Christ Jesus.
It’s through His power inside of us that we are able to submit to His will, obey His commandments, and see our lives align to His Word. Instead of thinking like the world around us, we are able to take every thought captive. Where we once found our hearts unmoved by another person’s burden, we’re now able to share in those trying moments, empathizing and weeping with another.
We used to see our sinfulness as our true identity, but we’re now able to walk in true freedom from bondage, knowing we are sons and daughters of God.
The tangible manifestation of the Lord’s work in our lives is most evident in the area of our emotions, particularly when it comes to the topic of forgiveness.
Where it once felt impossible to pardon those who have hurt us—whether intentionally or accidentally—we are now able to forgive through the power of God’s Spirit inside of us. This doesn’t mean that we deny what happened or its ramifications. We are able to forgive others because we understand that we have been forgiven much.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (Colossians 3:12–14)
Through our victorious Lord and Savior, what was once impossible is made possible.
“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'” (Matthew 18:21–22)
Through Christ, we’re able to not just forgive, but we’re empowered to bless others—those who have hurt us, those who don’t value us, even those who have hurt the ones we love. The Lord continuously calls us and moves us toward this abundant life He came to give us. It is a life free from fear, unforgiveness, and the destructive path toward bitterness.
In Him, we’re able to bless those who have cursed us and pray for those who have spitefully used us (Luke 6:28). As we do, we begin to look more and more like His disciples as we become known by our love.
Jesus came to give us this life more abundantly. We press on to the things ahead. We run toward our inheritance of freedom, liberty, grace, and mercy, looking to the author and finisher of our faith.
In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us a gentle reminder that we too can be like our heavenly Father, who always desires forgiveness.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
As recipients and conduits of forgiveness, we become more like Christ, receive a greater understanding of the nature of our Father, and come to understand the power that is transforming us from within. By growing more like the Son of God, we can walk the path of forgiveness and blessing that leads to greater glory.
