New Lives for Old

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4

After packing away the Christmas tree, the lights and other festive goodies, it seems as though there is always a closet or two beckoning to be cleaned out and cleared of unwanted clutter. I never look forward to the task, but know that if I ignore it, the masses behind the closed door will only become harder to conceal and more difficult to clean in the future.

This particular post-Christmas season was no different. It was the same closet as before, the giant one that we like to call "the hidden room" at our house. I couldn't understand how it had gotten so cluttered and filled with junk so quickly! It seemed as though I had just cleaned it out yesterday. Yet, there it was. And, there was no denying the mess that I had created by shoving things away, not dealing with them, and just expecting them to magically disappear—out of sight, out of mind.

Do you have sins in your life that are like that? They seem to be the same ones you've struggled with before. And, yet, you often simply close the door on them—hoping they will be hidden and magically disappear.

Just like behind the closet door, our sinful behavior doesn't magically disappear, and it isn't as hidden as we like to think (Can't you see the sock sticking out underneath the door?). The Holy Bible says, "I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me" (Jeremiah 16:17). 

I don’t always enjoy the process of cleaning out the closet, but I always love the result. The Holy Bible says, "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone" (Psalm 32:5).

This prayer I will pray for you in the coming year, that you will hide God's Word in the closet of your heart, rather than sin. "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).

May you have the best year you've ever had in your life.