A New Beginning

By John M. Duvall

Life is filled with new beginnings. A child begins his existence outside of the womb, taking that first breath and letting out a cry. A five year old child begins his first day of school by looking at the door and wanting his mother. A bride begins a new chapter of her life by saying, “I do” to the groom who has likewise pledged a life time of commitment, loyalty, and love. Truly, a person's life is filled with beginnings . . . and endings.

In turning to Jesus Christ, a person is to experience both an ending and a beginning. Before a person becomes a Christian, he is dead in his “trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1-3) Because of his sins, the sinner is separated from God. Isaiah wrote, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2) As a result, the sinner is facing the wages of his sin—which is death. (Romans 6:23) In order for the person lost in sin to be saved, he must put an end to his life of sin.

The first step towards ending one's life of sin is to study the word of God. The apostle Paul explained that faith in God comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17) To the saints in Ephesus, Paul wrote, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” (Ephesians 1:13, ESV) The sinner can develop faith in God only after he has heard the word of truth and is convinced of the need to believe in God. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV) Belief is a crucial step in a sinner beginning a new life, free from his guilt of sin.

A new beginning cannot be experienced without change. A person may profess a belief in God, but if that person lacks conviction to change his life, then his belief is without true conviction and trust in God. Jesus told His apostles that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47) Peter, approximately ten days later, preached, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) God has commanded all men everywhere to repent of their sins, and turn to Him. (Acts 17:30)

It is often the repentant change that becomes a stumbling block for the unconverted. Many people are quick to profess a belief in Jesus Christ without counting the cost of their change. Sadly, the realization of the needed change has often times quenched the initial eagerness of many lost in sin. Jesus warned His followers to count the cost before committing to following Him. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it, . . .” (Luke 14:26-28)

When the sinner draws near to God through faithful obedience to the gospel's call, he is born again. Jesus told Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3,5) The apostle Peter reminded the brethren that they were born again through the word of God. (See 1 Peter 1:22-25) This new beginning, known as being born again, is a wonderful start in the life of the sinner who has been converted to Jesus Christ.

With this new beginning, change is to continue in the life of the newly born Christian. He is to continue to put off sinful practices and put on righteous thoughts and deeds. The apostle Paul taught the brethren in Ephesus to “put off their former conduct” and “put on the new man which was created according to God.” (Ephesians 4:22-24) The putting off and putting on is the process of putting away sinful thoughts and deeds and embracing righteous thoughts and deeds. When a sinner repents of his past sinful life and is baptized into Christ, he begins his walk in a “newness of life.” (See Romans 6:3-7)

Consider your life. If you are a Christian, then you should be on the path that leads to heaven. If you are not living the life of the one who has put on Christ, then begin again by repenting of your sin and turning back to the heavenly Father. If you have not yet started a life as a new Christian, then profess your belief in Jesus Christ and repent of your sins, then obey the command of Christ to be baptized and you will be saved. (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4)

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