In 2 Corinthians, the apostle tells why they did not faint under their afflictions, expectations, desires, assurance of happiness, and quickening in their duty. All who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, given full control to the Holy Spirit, the very essence of God to lead and guide them, has a duty; willfully and joyfully accepted because you love the Lord. A duty that is Holy Spirit Led, denying oneself and being mindful that it’s all about Christ and not us. A New Beginning … To Be More Like Christ … In Every Way.

The apostle notes what heaven is like in the eye and hope of a believer. It’s a house, habitation, dwelling-place, resting-place, hiding-place, a building of God, our Father’s house, where there are many mansions, and our everlasting home in heaven, a high and holy place. It’s not like these earthly vessels, in which our souls now dwell, that day by day decays because the foundations are of dust. The apostle appeals unto God and the consciences of those he wrote to, saying “We are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” We are connected to the body and to the Lord with each claiming a part in us. How much more powerfully does the Lord pleads for having the soul of the believer closely united with Himself? A New Beginning … To Be More Like Christ … In Every Way.

The apostles used every argument and persuasion to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as His disciples. They did this for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ's love to us will and should have the same effect upon us, if we consider and rightly accept it. A New Beginning … To Be More Like Christ … In Every Way.

We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the basis of our living and actions. A Christian's life should be devoted to Christ. The renewed man and woman acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew. His or her heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given. Once the new heart is accepted, the mind needs a new “regenerated mindset”. A New Beginning … To Be More Like Christ … In Every Way.

We are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though men and women look the same outwardly, he or she is and should be changed in character and conduct. A New Beginning … To Be More Like Christ … In Every Way.

There must be more than an outward dressing up, going through the motions. God did all of this so that we might be made the righteousness of Him in Him, through the redemption in Christ Jesus. Can anyone lose, labour or suffer too much for Him? The one who gave His Only Beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for our sins, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him? A New Beginning … To Be More Like Christ … In Every Way.

This is a New Year that all of us have begun. We are only here because of the grace and mercy of God Almighty, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Was His sacrifice in vain? Did God give another chance for nothing? Old ways, old thoughts, old actions, old living, are and should pass away. God has given each and everyone A New Beginning … To Be More Like Christ … In Every Way. It’s not too late.