Ezekiel 11:18-20

When they return there, they will remove from it all (traces of) its detestable things and all its repulsive things (remnants of paganism). And I will give them one heart (a new heart), and put a new spirit within them. I will take from them then the heart of stone, and will give them a heart of flesh (that is responsive to My touch), that they may walk in My statues and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

God removes the hardened sinful heart and replaces it with a soft and responsive heart when He makes us new. New means the old ways are abolished and gone, and we can live life connected to God. The new connection helps us follow His statutes and ordinances, keeping us away from sin and our old ways.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if anyone is in Christ (that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior), he is a new creature (reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit); the old things (the previous moral and spiritual condition) have passes away. Behold, new things have come (because spiritual awakening brings a new life).

When we are born again, we become a new person with entirely different values and motivations. The older man is still present, but we have a new nature that must be cultivated and grown. Starting this new year, when the focus is on change, let’s focus on cultivating our born-again spirits. Let us go deeper with learning about the Lord so our faith increases and our renewed spirits flourish. 

Titus 3:8

This is a faithful and trustworthy saying; and confidence, so that those who have believed God will be careful to participate in doing good and honorable things. These things are excellent (in themselves) and profitable for the people.

People will trust our witness as Christians when we are seen doing good and honorable things. The appearance of evil will destroy our witness and undermine the ability of Jesus to work through our lives. We have a purpose: to follow Jesus, act like He did here on earth, and be His copy. 

2 Timothy 2:14

Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does not good, and (upsets and undermines and) ruins (the faith of) those who listen.

We are to avoid petty controversy over words and not let offense reign. Faith can be destroyed over offenses that we harbor in our hearts. Our lives can turn from the light of the Word to the darkness of unforgiveness. When we are examples to others, we must hold ourselves to a standard that Jesus sets before us.

1 Timothy 2:1

First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all people, for kind an all who are in high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 

Our prayers are essential for ourselves and others. If we don’t pray, God can’t intervene because we have the authority on this earth. We call God into the situation when we pray for leaders, finances, healing, or sick neighbors. Our role is vital to operate in faith as believers and pray!!!

1 Timothy 1:5-6

But the goal of our instruction is love (which springs) from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. Some individuals have wandered away from these things into empty arguments and useless discussion. 

Jesus wants us to have a pure heart and sincere faith based on the Word. When we focus on the love of each other, we can help build each other up and not tear each other down. We must keep ourselves from speculation, gossip, and criticism as believers. (I know it is hard.) Any of these communications is a detriment to our faith walk and hinders our growth. 

2 Thessalonians 2:10

And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all the deception of wickedness for those who are perishing, because they did not welcome love of the truth (of the gospel) so as to be saved (they were spiritually blind, and rejected the truth that would have saved them).

To keep ourselves from being seduced by the deception of wickedness, we must welcome and love the truth of God. We cannot let any gray areas into our hearts or let our brains calculate how much sin is acceptable for a believer. (The answer is 0). The more we allow sin to seduce our thoughts, the more effortless the fall to sin and destruction will be. 

1 Thessalonians 5:14

We (earnestly) urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line (the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly), encourage the timid (who lack spiritual courage), help the (spiritually) weak, be very patient with everyone (always controlling your temper).

We all have days when we are not in our best Christian representative form. But take courage. We are to be encouraged by Paul and do our best. We all need encouragement and correction sometimes; we are here to support each other. Keep trying and reading the Word, and let the love of Jesus build up inside, and the changes will come. 

1 Thessalonians 4:12 

So that you behave properly toward outsiders (exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world), and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing. 

We are to be the salt of the earth and occupy until Jesus comes back. That means we should behave like Jesus and exhibit good character and moral courage. We are not to bow down to the pressure of the world or be ashamed of our stance against sin in all its forms. We are to be the light in the darkness. 

Matthew 27-28

Woe to you, (self-righteous) scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. So you, also outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

What would it show if we were to walk in front of a screen that showed our internal dialogue and thoughts? Hopefully, we will show love for others, patience, and kindness. It would show that we are quick to forgive, repent of wrongs, and be helpful to others because the other option stinks like a dead man’s tomb.