WHEN “a new beginning” is spoken of in connection with the concerns of the soul, it is of vital importance to inquire who it is that is making the new beginning, and what the nature of the fresh start. For example, the writer, for years, was in the habit of using New Year’s Day as the occasion of a new beginning for a better life―a turning over of a new leaf. But long before the year was half gone he had many times felt the need of another new start. The crab tree gets a new start every year, and many new leaves before the year closes, but the only real difference, year after year, is in the number of crabs it brings forth. The “new leaf” fades and finally falls, and the quality of the fruit is no better. So with us. Every new beginning in the way of, making what we are naturally more agreeable to God, so that He will at last accept us and take us to heaven, must necessarily disappoint us, and this for one simple reason: the secret of the failure is not in the lack of new beginnings, but in the tree itself. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and the mind of the flesh “is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (John in. 6; Romans yin. 7:8). If this is God’s verdict after a four thousand years’ test, are we likely by fresh tests to prove Him wrong?
In connection with the town of Carmarthen, there is an old legend―an alleged prophecy of ancient date ―to the effect that when a certain oak tree in Priory Street comes down, it will mean the downfall of Carmarthen itself!
This story is so really believed by many, that though the tree itself has only been a dead trunk for the past two generations, the town authorities evidently do their utmost to keep the dead and fast-decaying old monument still standing. For this purpose they have fixed strong iron supports, while a massive stone structure has been built round it for a yard or two up the trunk, and repaired and whitewashed at periods.
A few feet from the stump, however, another oak has been planted. It seems to be of several years’ growth, and it is a pleasing contrast to the old tree, for it looks exceedingly fresh and vigorous; and already its fine, strong boughs have begun to overshadow the old dead trunk, as though it would fain hide the folly of those who are using their wits to keep upright what must eventually come down. This young oak needs no human masonry to support it. The power of life is there.
In this tree we see, not a new beginning for the old tree in a new place, but a new beginning in a new place. So in God’s way of blessing.
How slow men are to take this in! God has got a new beginning for Himself and for us, and is not now asking us to make one. We must fall in with His new beginning. Here our figure fails; for the new oak had the same sort of beginning as the old one, and like it must sooner or later come to an end by decay and death, while God’s new beginning is of an entirely new order and character. It is not only in “Another Man,” but in Another Man beyond the power of death.
In Colossians 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18) He is spoken of as “The Beginning, the Firstborn from the dead”; and, again, in Revelation 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5), as the “First begotten from the dead.” The term “firstborn” always supposes the beginning of a new family. And in God’s new beginning everything is new. It is entirely beyond death—beyond the judgment which was the inevitable doom of all who belonged to the fallen family of Adam. God’s answer now to every need of that family is found in Christ.
Is it my sins that trouble me? Christ has borne them, suffered for them, and is risen from the dead, having forever settled that question to God’s perfect satisfaction (1 Peter 1:21; 2:24; 3:1821Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21)
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)).
Is it life we need? “Our life is hid with Christ in God,” and “When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” (Col. In. 3:4).
Is it power for walk? We are directed to the same blessed Person. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:1010Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)); “I have strength for all things in Him that gives me power” (Phil. 4:1313I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13), New Trans.).
Well may such a blessed Deliverer say, “Look unto ME and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth.”
Waste not your time, then, on new starts of your own in self-improvement. God’s new beginning cannot be improved. Therefore if you are occupied with improvement at all, it is the clearest proof that you are looking at the wrong person. You are anxious to make yourself worthy of God’s acceptance, and ignoring the Gospel message which declares that God has found a Man worthy of your acceptance, His Beloved Son, and our Adorable Saviour!
What a bright, new start does everyone get who gladly bows to God’s new beginning. Dropping forever all expectation from himself, he looks to Christ alone and is fully satisfied! “They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed” (Psa. 34:55They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. (Psalm 34:5)). Be it so with you, my reader! GEO. C.