New Year – New You: The Role Of Repentance And Believing The Good News

A New Year, A New You: How Repentance and Believing in the Good News Can Change Your Life

Happy New Year to you! As we enter a new year, many of us may have made some resolutions or goals to improve ourselves or our situations. Maybe you want to lose weight, save money, learn a new skill, or travel more. These are all good and commendable things, but they are not enough to bring lasting and meaningful change to our lives. Why? Because neither the world around you nor your circumstances will change because the year has changed.

The only way to experience true and positive change is to change our hearts and minds. And the only way to do that is to repent and believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means to turn away from sin and turn to God, who loves us and wants to save us. It means to trust in what Jesus has done for us on the cross and in his resurrection. It means to receive His forgiveness and grace, and to follow him as Lord and Savior.

Jesus himself said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the Good News!” (Mark 1:15). He was announcing that God’s plan of salvation was being fulfilled in Him, and that he was bringing God’s reign of justice, peace, and love to the world. He was inviting everyone who heard him to join him in this new life of joy and freedom. He was calling them to repent and believe.

Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sins or making empty promises to do better. Repentance is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change of behavior. Repentance is acknowledging that we have sinned against God and others and that we need his mercy and help. Repentance is turning away from everything that displeases God and harms ourselves and others, and turning toward everything that pleases God and blesses us and others.

Believing is not just agreeing with some facts or doctrines about Jesus. Believing is trusting in Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Believing is accepting his gift of forgiveness and eternal life, and giving him your gift of love and obedience. Believing is relying on his power and presence in your life, and following his example and teachings.

When you repent and believe in the good news, you become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). You receive a new identity, a new purpose, a new family, a new hope, a new destiny. You are born again by the Spirit of God (John 3:3). You are adopted into God’s family as his beloved child (Romans 8:15). You are forgiven of all your sins by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7). You are filled with the Holy Spirit who gives you love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). You are equipped with spiritual gifts to serve God and others (1 Corinthians 12:7). You are called to be a disciple of Jesus who makes other disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). You are destined for heaven where you will see God face to face (Revelation 21:3-4).

This is the good news that can change your life! This is the good news that can make this year the best year ever! This is the good news that can make you a new you!

But you have to respond to this good news. You have to repent and believe. You have to surrender your life to Jesus and follow him. You have to let him transform you from the inside out.

Will you do that today? Will you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Will you receive his grace and give him your life? Will you join his kingdom and his mission? Will you become a new creation in Christ?

If you are ready to do that, or if you have already done that but want to renew your commitment, I invite you to pray this prayer with me:

Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and I believe in you as my Savior and Lord. I thank you for dying for me on the cross and rising from the dead. I thank you for forgiving me of all my sins and offering me eternal life. I thank you for sending me your Holy Spirit who makes me a new creation in you. I give you my life today and every day. I surrender everything to you: my past, my present, my future, my thoughts, my words, my actions, my relationships, my dreams, my fears, my joys, my sorrows. I ask you to take control of my life and make me the person you want me to be. I ask you to help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. I ask you to help me to follow you and obey you in everything. I ask you to help me to serve you and others with the gifts you have given me. I ask you to help me to make disciples who make disciples. I ask you to help me to live for your glory and your kingdom. I ask you to fill me with your grace and your peace. I ask you to make this year a year of growth and blessing in my life. I ask all this in your name, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, or if you have any questions or comments, please let us know. We would love to hear from you and help you in your journey of faith. May God bless you and keep you, and may he make his face shine upon you and give you peace. Happy New Year, and happy new you!