A Fresh Start 新的开始
Dexu Xia
Chinese New Year celebrations are observed by Chinese families everywhere. These festivities are tied to the lunar calendar, usually falling somewhere in late January to mid-February. These times for family reunions come with many traditions—some of great significance. Buying and donning new clothes, giving our homes a good cleaning, and paying off outstanding debts remind us we’re putting the past behind and starting the year with a clean slate.
These traditions also remind me of our new life in Christ. No matter who we used to be or what we’ve done, we can put it all behind us. We can stop beating ourselves up over our past and let go of the guilt, knowing we’re completely forgiven because of Jesus’ death on the cross. And we can start afresh, knowing we can rely on the Holy Spirit to daily transform us to be more like Jesus.
That’s why Paul reminds believers “the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We too can say this because of the simple but powerful truth: God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and no longer counts our sins against us (v. 19).
Others around us may not be willing to forget our past wrongdoing, but we can take heart that in God’s eyes we’re no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). As Paul points out, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v. 31). Let’s enjoy the fresh start He’s given us through Jesus.
How can you remind yourself that you’re fully forgiven because of Jesus’ death on the cross? How can you encourage new believers to start life afresh?
Thank You, Jesus, for Your saving work on the cross that reconciles me to God and gives me a new life in You.
新的开始
若有人在基督里，他就是新造的人，旧事已过，都变成新的了。—哥林多后书5章17节
世界各地的华人都会庆祝农历新年，农历新年的正月通常是在阳历的1月下旬至2月中旬。庆祝新年除了全家团圆，还有许多传统习俗，而有些习俗更别具意义，例如要穿新衣、进行大扫除，以及还清债务。这些习俗都提醒我们要除旧布新，把旧的、不好的都除掉，以崭新的面貌开始新的一年！
这些传统习俗，也使我想起我们在基督里的新生命。无论我们从前是什么样的人，或做过些什么，我们都可以将其抛在脑后。我们可以不再为自己的过去自责，并放下罪恶感，因知耶稣在十字架上受死，我们已完全得着宽恕。我们能重新开始，并能每日倚靠圣灵得着改变，越来越像耶稣。
正因如此，保罗提醒众信徒：“旧事已过，都变成新的了”（哥林多后书5章17节）。我们也可以表明自己是新造的人，因着一个简明有力的真理：上帝透过基督使我们与祂和好，并且不再定我们的罪（19节）。
我们周围的人或许不肯原谅我们以往的过失，但我们不必难过，在上帝的眼中我们已不再被定罪（罗马书8章1节）。正如保罗说：“上帝若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？”（31节）让我们享受上帝透过耶稣赐给我们的全新开始吧！
你如何提醒自己因耶稣在十架上的牺牲，
你已被完全宽恕？
你如何鼓励初信者迎向全新的人生？
耶稣，感谢祢在十架上成就救赎之工，
使我能与上帝和好，并得着祢所赐给我的新生命。