Happy New Year!

How many times have you heard that phrase in the last few days? Most likely, the person saying it to you sincerely desires for you to have a great 2023.

Of course, it could also mean that they are just thankful 2022 is gone and a fresh new year has finally arrived.

In light of the changing calendars, two passages come to mind.

The first one is Lamentations 3:22-23, which says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” The other pertinent passage is Revelation 21:5, which reads, ―And He Who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.‘”

Our loving Lord gives us more than arbitrary new calendars. He gives us new life. He gives us new hope. He gives us new existence! Imagine a new life with no death or mourning. Think of an existence with no crying or pain. These are the promises given to those who belong to Jesus.

If we have been washed in His blood your eternal future is one where all the old painful, sinful, and ugly experiences are removed and replaced with that which is beautiful.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17).

To be baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27) is to be divinely transported into a new existence (Col. 1:13) with a new future (1 John 2:28).

More than a mere new day…more than a new year…our Lord gives us a new life.

• Bart Warren, South Green Street church of Christ, Glasgow, KY