“‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,’ saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
Dear Ones:
The single greatest proof of the power of a new beginning in the life of an individual, and that of a nation or people, is Christ Himself, and the revelation that He IS the beginning and the ending. To have a new beginning, a “good” beginning, there must of necessity be the design, vision, and purpose conceived first in the heart of God for the believer. There is a reason for this, and it is found in the nature of the new beginning. Intertwined in the meaning, the essence of a new beginning from God’s standpoint, but applying to the sinner, or believer, is the matter of sin. Sin, in some shape or fashion, seems to be almost always the reason for which a new beginning is needed. There is only ONE person, by one manner, that sin deal completely with sin. The new beginning begins with the radical dealing with sin in the life. It is manifested by the intervention of God in the matter, by first bringing the individual to a consciousness of need, and a conviction with regard to the true need and reason for a new beginning. Throughout Scripture, we find the matter of thirst a reoccurring subject. We know from the testimony of Scripture that this thirst can be physical. However, spiritual thirst is predominant. The Psalmist wrote, “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.” (Ps. 42:2) This blessed thirst is given by God to draw out the heart to seek God, and find Him. The Psalmist would also write, “…my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” (Ps. 63:1) Physical thirst, as indicated by the words, “…thirsty land,” is a clear picture of the thirst of the heart. The Psalmist continues by writing that his thirst was, “…to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.” (Ps. 63:2) That which these verses reveal to us is that there are “soul thirsts” that God gives, to draw out the individual believer to seek God, that he may through the truth of Scripture, and by the Spirit, SEE His power and glory. It is by the faith that God gives according to the truth, that the Spirit reveals God to the heart and mind. With every fresh revelation of God in Christ, a new beginning occurs.
There is a thirst that God gives to the sinner, which has for its objective, to communicate new life. Again, sin must be deal with for this objective to be realized. Why? Sin is in essence being on the wrong path, going in the wrong direction, and trusting in the wrong object, Life eternal. When desire becomes conviction, and the clarity of sin’s presence and domination, becomes apparent, it is then that one is in a position to know the power of a new beginning. Essential to knowing the transforming power of the new beginning, is the knowledge of Christ who IS our power, our New Beginning. It is in the revelation of the Lord Himself, that faith is born. In being brought face to face with the person of Christ, the individual is brought to see that in Him alone is found the power of a new beginning. This One who gives power to become a child of God, is also that One who gives power to know a new beginning.
What then specifically is this new beginning? For the unbeliever, it is when his sins are totally, and completely forgiven. He is born again of the Spirit. His new beginning is in becoming a new creation. For the believer, it is the forgiveness of all sin, and the reviving, refreshing, renewing, and restoring work of the Holy Spirit in the heart. It is the “newness” of weights lifted, and freedom of spirit and heart received. For the old soldier, it is the renewed vision of God’s promises, and their certain realization in the life.
Dear Father, Give us to live in the newness of Thy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad