“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
— John 8:11 (NLT)
As we step into this new year, we reflect on the blessings of the past and look forward to even greater things ahead. One truth remains clear: it is by GOD's mercy that we have come this far, and it is HIS mercy that will continue to guide us.
As you consider the previous year, take a moment to identify areas where you may have faltered. If you haven't done so yet, I urge you to reflect honestly on your experiences. This practice is crucial if you hope to achieve greater things in the year ahead. By reviewing your past, you can make informed resolutions and hold yourself accountable for your actions.
In John 8, we encounter a woman caught in adultery. According to the law, she faced severe consequences—death by stoning. Yet, she found herself at the feet of JESUS, who offered her mercy instead of judgment. Rather than facing death, she received a second chance with the command: “Go and sin no more.” This was an invitation to live a transformed life, free from the choices that led her to such a dire situation.
Just as this woman experienced mercy, many of us have made choices that could have led to grave consequences. We often look back in disbelief at how we escaped situations that could have ended badly. That was God's mercy at work—granting us another opportunity to embrace life anew. This is not a license to take risks or assume we can always navigate our challenges successfully; rather, it is a call to recognize the fragility of our circumstances.
Before JESUS came, those caught in sin faced harsh penalties. This woman was one of the few who experienced grace and mercy in a time when such compassion was rare.
As we enter this new year, remember that you are here by GOD's mercy. Many have faced consequences for their actions and are no longer with us. We all make mistakes daily, but it is God's mercy that sustains us. It’s vital to understand why you are where you are and what behaviors may hinder your progress. You do not need to repeat past mistakes or remain in toxic situations that harm you.
“But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, ‘Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.’”
— John 5:14 (NLT)
Recognize your escape from past mistakes and choose to surrender fully to JESUS. A new life is possible through complete surrender to HIM. Anyone who is in CHRIST has the chance for renewal—escaping destruction for eternal life.
“For this is how GOD loved the world: He gave his one and only SON, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16 (NLT)
“Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
View your surrender to JESUS as an escape from evil and potential calamity. Life can be unpredictable; there are many unseen challenges ahead. However, when you surrender to JESUS, HIS strength empowers you to resist sin and its destructive consequences.
This year should not be about indulgence or unproductive socializing; it’s about aligning yourself with JESUS's plan for your life. Strive for excellence so that one day you may hear the FATHER say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Tomorrow is uncertain; seize today as an opportunity for transformation.
Embrace this chance for a new way of living through surrender to Jesus!
Dear FATHER,
Thank YOU for the many opportunities and chances given me. Please help me to live in acknowledgment of it and in surrender to YOU that all may go well with me in JESUS MIGHTY name.
