In the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest and Lieutenant Dan are in a bar with two women on New Year’s Eve. One of the women says to Forrest: “Don’t you just love New Year’s? You get to start over … Everybody gets a second chance.”
This is often the notion that comes with a new year–a reset. We love second chances. At weight loss. Exercise. Parenting skills. Reading more. Etc.. We desire a reboot to improve matters, correct our mistakes.
Every moment is New Year’s for followers of Jesus. We must not think His grace begins anew on January 1. The infinite God is not bound by our calendars.
Consider these passages of great news for renewal and restoration:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17, ESV).
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’ (Lam 3:22-24).
Consider 1 John 1:9 in light of Matthew 18:21-22. If believers are to extend such forgiveness to others, how much more will our heavenly Father extend such grace to us:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times'” (Matt 18:21-22).
And one more:
“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true'” (Rev 21:5).
Knowing this makes for a happy new year all year!