A New Heaven, a New Earth, and a New Us

 

Isaiah 65:17 (NRSVue) - For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Here, the prophet speaks of God’s new creation.

This will be completely new.

Nothing will remain as it was before.

This creation will be so new that we will not think of the former one.

In Revelation, John experienced a vision of this new creation.

Revelation 21:1 (NRSVue) - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Scripture reminds us more than once that this will happen.

To some, this seems unlikely.

To others, this seems impossible.

But to the believer, this is a promise.

And the believer has concrete proof that a new creation is possible.

In fact, a new creation is more than probable.

The believer simply needs to look inward to recognize that he or she is already a new creation.

The believer understands that he or she is not the person they once were.

If God can transform our lives, He can also transform the lives of others.

Could it be that this transformation of lives will be part of the new heaven and the new earth?

It is.

God is at work transforming us into who He wants us to be.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, August 2, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, August 9, 2024

Rousing a Deaf World

Joel 2:13a (NRSVue) - rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God,

Here, the prophet implores the people to return to the Lord.

In Biblical times people would tear their clothing when they were overcome with the pain of grief.

This would be an outward sign plainly understood by any observer,

But here the prophet, speaking for God, indicates that a change of heart is necessary.

Clothing is temporary and can be replaced, but a true change of heart is permanent.

And such a change is apparent to God and the one who repents.

It can also be as visible to others as is torn clothing.

Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, tells the people to glorify God.

Paul states they should do so in body and in spirit,

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NRSVue) - For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

In times of pain and difficulty, it is easy to turn inward as a means of isolating ourselves from pain.

But in doing so, we also isolate ourselves from both God and community.

The far better option is for us to turn to Christ.

With His help, we experience a true change in self.

So equipped, we can rejoin and experience community as opposed to solitude.

We can reach out and serve others in pain and in need.

We can extend mercy to others just as Christ was merciful to us.

C.S. Lewis put it this way: “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 19, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, July 26, 2024