Turning a New Leaf in Christ

“New Year” doesn’t stay new forever, unlike turning a new leaf in Christ. When does the year stop being new?

Happy New Year, everyone! Although I might sound a bit late saying this today, 16th January, I think I’m still in the “New Year” zone.

However, if it is May or June, I’m sure I would sound silly, saying, “Happy New Year” because it is several months away from the New Year, either backward or forward.

On New Year’s Day, I went around our backyard and saw that the Taro plant’s largest leaf had wilted.

I wasn’t bothered because I knew it was only turning a new leaf. Turning a new leaf means the Taro plant is growing.

So, I reflected that the New Year of our lives is also like turning over a new leaf. A year has passed, and behold, another New Year has come!

We are growing, aren’t we? Many would say, “Yes, we are growing but growing old.” 🙂

2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

We frequently share 2 Corinthians 5:17 with somebody who has received Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. It has become a standard verse for a new believer.

I was baptised in April 1979 at Capiz Evangelical Church, along with 40 others. I was 12 years old then.

During the series of Baptismal classes, we memorised 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV), “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.”

What does it mean to be “in Christ“?

Since memorising 2 Corinthians 5:17 in that Baptismal class season, I have only understood “in Christ” as receiving my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

The many years of experiencing, facing, and overcoming trials, testing in faith, and learning from mistakes taught me what “in Christ” really means.

The Apostle Paul provided a critical point that most of us have neglected because, obviously, we have given so much, if not sole, attention to 2 Corinthians 5:17.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 

2 Corinthians 5:16

I put “from a worldly point of view” in bold because many Christians view their life in Christ from a worldly, fleshly perspective.

Many of us are already in Christ, yet we continue to view our relationship with Christ and his people from a worldly perspective.

“We do so no longer!” says the Apostle Paul.

He encourages further in Romans 12:2, “Don’t conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

An excellent example is the contrasting viewpoints on the New Year as a time to turn over a new leaf.

• Worldly point of view – we are growing old.
• “In Christ” point of view – we are a new creature, and the old is gone, the new is here

As new creatures in Christ, we are gifted with “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV).

We often chime this beautiful song in our hearts, minds, and meditation, don’t we?

The worldly point of view sees life in its external form, but life in Christ is more about growing deep inside.

In our Taro illustration, it is a common understanding from the gardener’s point of view that a wilting leaf indicates not only that a new one is springing, but also that the corm’s size is increasing.

The quality of the Taro is valued more on what is going on underground – the corm’s enlargement, than the leaves above the ground.

For people living in the Pacific or in tropical climates, taro is a staple and an important food source.

There are species that are only good for decorations, and ornamental species, because either they have tiny corms or are inedible.

Being a new creature in Christ means growing your relationship with him and becoming deeply rooted in him, day by day, year by year.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

Staying deeply rooted in Christ means you are always fresh, turning a new leaf at every moment, and growing within into maturity and productivity.

It is a common tradition in the Philippines to celebrate the New Year with bountiful food preparations.

With the advent of social media, every New Year, my Facebook feed is always flooded with photos of families gathered around the table with various food and beverages.

Please don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against this New Year’s tradition; it is a matter of personal choice.

However, I have two challenges to present to you:

1. Are we able to match the extravagance and abundance that we are showing externally with the growth and enrichment of our hearts as Christians who are deeply rooted in Christ?
   
   
2. Are we like a staple taro, a good food source and source of nourishment, or an ornamental taro that only feeds the eyes?

Remember, as new creatures in Christ, we no longer see him and his people from the world’s point of view. The old is gone; the new is here.

Read the conclusion here → New Leaves; New Lives in Christ

Or click the image below.