New life for the new year

This is the time of year when many people are thinking about a new beginning. It can be termed in several different ways, such as turning over a new leaf, resolution, clean break, starting over, new start or several others. They make resolutions they are pretty sure they will not keep, hoping in some miraculous intervention, making this time different.

If we want real change it takes more than a new year it takes a new life. Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly."

The apostle Paul mentioned in II Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

The kind of change Jesus and Paul were talking about is only possible by the miraculous, and the only source of true miracles is Jesus Christ, Himself. Jesus mentioned in John 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Jesus answered, "I say to you, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"

Being born again in the biblical sense is not a change of mind, lifestyle or attitude, but a miraculous spiritual experience. When we receive the gift of salvation through the savior Jesus Christ, we will experience life in the spirit or new life. This precious gift was given over 2,000 years ago and is waiting for any and all who will receive it. New life is available to all those who will truly repent of their sins, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He rose from the dead and received what He did for us when He died on the cross. He truly is a God of new beginnings.

-- Pastor Leo Kruger of Valley Christian Fellowship is a member of Carson Valley Ministers' Association.