Pr. Mize’s Meditation for New Year’s Eve

Meditation on New Years Eve
Scripture Reading: Romans 6:1-4:
What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may have a new life.

Meditation for New Years Eve:
What does it mean to no longer sin? In all reality it means to be forgiven by someone outside yourself. This is why we repent of our sinfulness. If it were enough that we could forgive ourselves for our short comings then why would we need a loving and a sacrificial savior? The truth is that we cannot forgive ourselves. We cannot forgive our transgressions, nor can we wish ourselves into heaven. We cannot seem to mend our own old and sinful ways alone. Yet, we desire a new life. So what then can we do? Can we simply make a New Years resolution to stop sinning?
Of course we can’t choose to stop sinning. But what we can do is look to the Word of God himself and see that our transgressions, sins, and the lack of ability to forgive ourselves has been washed away. Romans teaches us, “What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” It is not up to us to forgive ourselves or to make new that which we cannot make new. It is up to Christ to make us new! And He has promise to do so. The day that you were baptized all things were made new. You became a new creation. You were, “…buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may have a new life.” You, my blessed friends, have a new life in Christ. You have a new life in him because He died for you, because he arose for you, and because he loves you. You need not save yourselves for it is done for you. All for you!
On THIS New Years Eve, come and receive the forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of the Altar. Why? Because it is the true body and blood that was sacrificed so that you can have the newness of life. What more can you celebrate in the new year than a remembrance of your new life on earth that will lead to the newness of life in eternity? Come taste of the body and blood of your Lord. Come, Christian and be forgiven that you will be strengthened in the newness of life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Blessed New Year to each of you in the name of Our Lord + Jesus Christ!
-Pastor Mize

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