Happy New Year! It’s time again to ring in another fresh set of 365 days.
Most of us like new things, and new years and seasons are generally welcomed. I’d definitely take a new car to replace my old one. A new house would be nice. A new fishing boat would be even sweeter. (Oh, how I wish!) Then there are new shoes, new books, new music, new friendships, new opportunities to serve and grow, and more!
New is good. But there’s a kind of “new” that the Bible introduces which takes new to a whole new level (no pun intended).
The New Testament uses two different Greek words for the English word new. Neos refers to something that has recently come into existence, such as a new year. It hadn’t existed before and is brand-new. Kainos speaks of something being renewed rather than brand-new. It contains the idea that there was something “before” that is now coming into the fullness of its true reality.
It is kainos that raises the concept of “new” to a different level. The apostle John used this word to describe the future new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). It’s the same word he said Jesus will use to proclaim from His throne, “Look, I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). It’s also the word the apostle Paul used when he wrote about anyone in Christ becoming a “new person” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In each case, the idea of “new” is that it’s something that previously existed and is now being recreated and restored so that it can be all it was meant to be.
As we enter another year, let’s live out our new creation that has already begun. And let’s remember that it will one day be fully revealed.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 1:1–2:3
More:
Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 and consider what the new covenant means for believers in Jesus.
Next:
Where do you see new creation both emerging and struggling to emerge in your life? What does the new life in Jesus mean to you?
gary1schelvan on January 1, 2015 at 1:03 am
Amen Brother Jeff,
I echo your thoughts, Happy New Year!**Sheng Nian Kuai Le! That’s Chinese where I am living now. We’re off to a fresh start for a new year, and I’m looking forward to what the Lord has to reveal to me in my journey through life. I feel like I am really experiencing the full sensation of Kainos in these later days of my life, 64 yrs old in May, and feeling so blessed in so many different ways. Renewed, refreshed and rejuvenated. In living out this new creation as you say Jeff, I feel it is critical for all of us brothers and sisters to share the experience of Kainos with as many people as we possiblt can. Being the Light in the world is so important in these days.
God bless all of you and your loved ones, prayers for a very blessed year ahead for all.
BearPair on January 1, 2015 at 4:48 am
Thank you, Jeff, for this insightful & fascinating way to get our minds headed properly for starting yet a NEW year! Patricia & I are both in our late 60’s, and praising the Lord for each day He gives and… and some of the “new” things we find around the home which we neer knew were lost! 🙁 Surely John’s and Jesus’ words challenge us to fix our eyes what is new, leaving the old things in the past. And having done that, we keep on “keeping on! for His glory!!!
gary1schelvan on January 2, 2015 at 2:08 am
Happy New Year BearPair! So nice to hear from a wonderful duo such as you two. You are really so young! Late 60’s, so much time ahead of you both.
I’m not far behind you at 64 yrs young. Every day is a new day, a gift from God of 86,400 seconds of precious time to invest as we choose to, so let the Lord direct us as to the best possible manner in which to spend our seconds, can’t save them unfortunately. We all have 3 gifts we can freely give to God, our treasure, our talents and our time He gives us each. So with the time we have left here, I pray for His guidance/direction to use these gifts wisely, to glorify Jesus in all we do and say. “Keep on truckin'”
Gary Shultz on January 1, 2015 at 6:48 am
There are a lot of different thoughts as I look at the blog today. Thank you for looking with expectation into the new year. I also smile as I think how you have captured all of these 60ish folks. Well, your interpretations of “new” work for me. The Lord’s mercies are new each day and like your fishing boat we have to stick with the old ship; however, God’s love is ever more precious. I’m thankful to read that this more senior group is delighted to look expectantly to what God has for them in the upcoming days of 2015…..I even have a trick for a newer boat.
BearPair on January 2, 2015 at 12:29 am
Amen! 🙂
street on January 1, 2015 at 11:25 am
this explains our present circumstances better than, the false idea of sinless perfection that john warns us about. Romans 8 might help you get your thoughts off your self and back on Jesus. faith is a work in progress. continue in grace.
Mike Wittmer on January 1, 2015 at 11:46 am
This is very encouraging. May we all become more like the new people we already are this year.