Tuesday, January 01, 2008

newness

Though I can't say I'm excited about a "new" year, I am rather taken with the newness we experience together in Jesus. And because of that alone, I can look forward to the new year.

Moltmann, who I want to read sooner than later has written something like: The hope we have in Jesus is a hope that is related to all we experience in this life now- not merely about the future. I don't have the exact words nor can I get to the source at the moment. But this seems to me to be related to the words in 1 Peter that we have a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It looks forward, but even more it lives in a forward mode, an already though not yet finished mode. It's a hope that gives us certainty, by faith, of what we look forward to. But it is alive in that we experience by the Spirit something of that future hope now.

Newness is not just about us, but it's about what God is doing in Jesus in the bringing in of the new creation for all the world, which by judgment and grace is beginning to touch the world now, and will make all things new. Our lives individually and together are a sign and indication to the world of this new creation in Jesus, and actually, along with the gospel, the primary means God uses in Jesus in beginning this now. So we should not be surprised to find this newness spring from areas that have been dead, and even under God's judgment, and this should encourage us in our lives and witness.

Scattered thoughts here, but I'm simply thankful to God for this ongoing newness to us in Jesus that despite the wearing on us of this life, gives us a sense of knowing this is the path of life, ongoing life, as opposed to the death of all else.

What thought might you like to share here?

7 comments:

Every Square Inch said...

No profound thoughts from me - just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year.

Ted, I've enjoyed reading your blog and appreciate the honesty of your writing.

Martin Stickland said...

Have a gr8 2008 Ted!!

I am not drinking beer as my new years resolution . before 8 in the morning ... hic!

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI,
Thanks for your encouragement. I appreciate your writing and thoughts on your blog, as well.

And the same to you and yours.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Martin,
I just saw an interesting book on world beers yesterday with nice photos to boot.

I'm not sure about your resolution, but I am sure that you're not serious!

Ted M. Gossard said...

And Martin, same to you and yours for 08 and beyond.

Anonymous said...

i do not like all change, like the change that takes place with sickness and death, however, i do get a sense of peace in the idea of the newness of what God is bringing about.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Some change is indeed painful, though in the long run it removes us from the pain of this fallen, broken or cracked existence. And really I see all the change that God is bringing about as the fulfillment of all that is truly good that we experience now. Of course we may not have a proper discernment or appreciation of all that- surely we don't entirely. And this process of change that we in Jesus are in as well, has pain along the way, as we continue to put off the old, and put on the new in Jesus.