I’m convinced God likes to create new things. I came to this conclusion not just by looking at the universe and the wonders of His creation, but also by looking at our own lives. While creation no doubt points to God’s uniqueness in creating something out of nothing, I believe He also likes to create new things out of older, used and damaged things.
As we enter a New Year, people like to make resolutions about changed behaviors, habits or commitments; but God is always ready to “create” something new in those He patterned after His own image.
The problem with making new resolutions is that the person remains essentially the same, subject to the same temptations as before. That’s why gym and fitness centers see such an increase in members the first couple months of each new year. People have made their commitment to change—to get in shape—but slowly that commitment becomes a nuisance and then ultimately it becomes an afterthought.
Creating something new in Christ has the potential to withstand the natural challenges we face in our modern society. Why? Because that change works its way outward from the heart to our expressions, behaviors and actions.
I’ve always been intrigued by the story of the adulterous woman in John 8, perhaps because of its starkness and clear delineations of before and after.
The religious leaders of the day bring before Jesus a woman caught in adultery. Not someone who was accused of committing adultery, but someone “caught in the act” of it. This was a serious offense. One that normally resulted in stoning.
Jesus remains calm during the entire episode, perhaps too calm from our perspective. But when He does speak, the reality of the dichotomy between His kingdom and that of the world couldn’t be starker.
After Jesus challenges the religious leaders to condemn the woman—those without sin to begin the stoning—slowly the crowd disperses, “the older ones first.”
Now it’s just Jesus and the woman, the one whose very life was seriously threatened no more than a few minutes before.
Jesus asks her, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she replied. “Then neither do I condemn you …. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
The kingdom of this world would have condemned her, leaving her either dead or forever stained by the realities of her past.
Jesus’ kingdom gives her an opportunity to change, to become something she couldn’t be on her own, someone who can make eternal differences.
And notice Jesus doesn’t say to her: “Look, you were caught in a very bad sin. Your life will no longer be the same. You will forever be defined by this sin. Your life is essentially over. Go now and live saddled by your past actions.”
No. Jesus tells her she is not condemned and to leave her life of sin.
We don’t know for sure what happens next in this parable—or event. But I wonder if she embraced this newfound gift and lived the life she dreamed of living, free from her past, the hurts she carried with her and the shackles of that which had come to define her.
And that’s the opportunity each of us has now. We can make resolutions to change—and those are not in and of themselves bad. But Christ offers us an opportunity to become someone we can only be through Him.
This past year may have been filled with setbacks, struggles and failures. Maybe we lost our job, lost that significant relationship or fell into sin.
Christ’s offer to us hasn’t changed, and we don’t need a date on the calendar to begin anew. Just as He offered new life to the woman caught in adultery, Jesus offers new life to you and me.
Will you take Him up on His offer?
