He is just, and His justice requires that He respond to wickedness
In both the Old and New Testaments, we see God’s anger against sin, but we also witness His deep love for humanity and His desire for all to come to repentance. It is within this understanding of God’s anger against evil, coupled with His offer of grace, that the concept of New Beginnings becomes most powerful.
In the Old Testament, the character of God is often portrayed as one who is slow to anger but whose anger burns against the wicked. Psalm 7:11 tells us, “God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” This verse highlights a fundamental truth about God’s nature: He is just, and His justice requires that He respond to wickedness. The evil deeds that take place on earth do not go unnoticed by God. It is not that God delights in wrath, but that His holiness demands that evil be dealt with. The anger of God is not like the petty, selfish anger of men; it is a righteous, holy anger against all that defiles His creation. God’s anger is not arbitrary; it is a response to the pervasive and destructive force of sin.
Yet, despite God’s anger against sin, He consistently calls His people to return to Him. The story of the people of Israel, from Genesis to Malachi, is one of repeated rebellion and disobedience, but also one of God’s gracious invitation to return to Him. In Isaiah 1:18, God offers a powerful invitation: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” This is the offer of a New Beginning. Despite their sin, God is willing to forgive and restore those who turn to Him. His anger against sin is not without hope. There is always an opportunity for repentance, a new start, a fresh beginning when one turns from sin and embraces the mercy of God.
Jesus came to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law and to offer salvation to all who would repent and believe. The Gospel message is that, through Jesus, God’s wrath against sin is satisfied, and the way to a new life in Christ is made clear. In the book of John, we read the words of Jesus: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). This idea of being “born again” speaks directly to the idea of New Beginnings. To enter into a new life, one must be born of the Spirit. This transformation is not merely a change of behavior but a fundamental renewal of the heart, a complete break from the old life of sin and an embracing of the new life in Christ.
The Apostle Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 5:17, saying, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This verse captures the essence of new life in Christ. The moment a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they experience a spiritual rebirth. The old self, with all its sins and failings, is gone, and a new person emerges, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing to God.
God’s anger with evil is not something to be taken lightly. His wrath is real and it is just. Yet, the beauty of the Gospel is that God, in His mercy, offers us a way out. Through Christ, we are given the opportunity to leave behind the old life of sin and embrace the new life that only He can offer. This New Beginning is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of sanctification. Every day, believers are called to live in the light of this newness of life, rejecting the old ways and walking in the truth of God’s Word.
In the book of Romans, Paul further emphasizes the urgency of turning away from sin and embracing the New Beginning in Christ. Romans 2:4 reminds us that “the goodness of God leads you to repentance.” God’s goodness, His patience, and His long-suffering toward us are meant to lead us to repentance. It is not as if God is indifferent to sin. His anger is real, but His love and mercy provide the way for us to be reconciled to Him. In Romans 6:4, Paul teaches that “we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” This verse underscores that the New Beginning is not just a change in status, but a change in how we live. To walk in newness of life means to live according to the Spirit of God, to leave behind the deeds of the flesh, and to pursue holiness and righteousness.
The beauty of this New Beginning is that it is available to everyone, no matter how far they have gone in sin. The message of the Gospel is inclusive, whosoever will may come. Jesus demonstrated this truth through His interactions with sinners throughout His earthly ministry. He welcomed tax collectors, prostitutes, and others considered outcasts in society, offering them the hope of a New Beginning. His invitation is still open today, calling all who are burdened by sin and despair to come and receive forgiveness, healing, and renewal.
God’s anger with sin is a serious matter, but it is not the final word. The final word is the grace and mercy of God, which provides the path to a New Beginning through Jesus Christ. The call to New Beginnings is a call to turn away from the old life of sin and embrace the new life found in Christ. It is a call to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, transforming us from the inside out, so that we may live lives that bring glory to God.
Therefore, let this New Beginning be a reminder to all who hear it—God is angry with the evil every day, but His mercy endures forever. In Christ, there is always the opportunity for renewal, no matter how deep the sin, no matter how far the fall. Come to Him, and let your sins be washed away. Embrace the New Beginning that God offers through His Son, and walk in the newness of life that He alone provides. This is the hope that we hold on to, and this is the message of salvation that we are called to proclaim to the world.
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The message of renewal also carries with it the truth that nothing hidden will remain concealed. This principle is foundational to understanding the full scope of God’s justice and mercy. In Luke 12:2-3, Jesus says, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”
This scripture underscores a powerful truth: in the end, all things will be brought to light. No sin, no evil deed, no secret thought will escape God’s all-seeing gaze. His perfect justice ensures that everything concealed will be revealed; nothing will remain hidden from Him. For those living in rebellion or trying to cover their tracks, this can serve as a sobering reminder. God’s anger toward sin is not limited to what is visible; it reaches into the secret things, the hidden thoughts, and the unseen deeds. These are fully known to God, and His justice will bring all things to account.
But this truth of exposure is not just a warning; it’s also an invitation to repentance and transformation. Because nothing is hidden from God, there’s no need to wait for judgment to make things right. Instead, we are called to come to Him now, acknowledging that He knows every part of our lives, yet still offering grace and forgiveness. The opportunity to start over in Christ is not about hiding our past; it’s about bringing it all into His light. When we step forward, acknowledging our sin, He offers us a fresh start, erasing the weight of hidden things and enabling us to walk in the fullness of His love.
When we come to Jesus, we’re not approaching an unaware or distant God. He knows us completely, even the deepest recesses of our hearts. And yet, He still offers us mercy. The invitation to be restored is not just about erasing visible sins but addressing everything, every hidden aspect of our hearts. With Christ, we’re invited to bring even the darkest parts of ourselves before Him, trusting that His grace will cover and transform them.
In 1 Corinthians 4:5, Paul writes, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” This passage reminds us that though we may not see the full effects of sin immediately, there will come a day when everything, both the seen and unseen, will be revealed. But this reality isn’t merely a cause for fear; it’s an opportunity to embrace God’s call to surrender.
God, who sees what is hidden, also sees the potential for transformation. He knows our failings, but He also sees the light that can shine through them when we choose to walk in His ways. Right now, while we still battle sin, we have the chance to expose those hidden things to Him, who, in His mercy, will bring them into the light and redeem them. What was once our deepest shame can become a testimony of His grace.
This truth fits seamlessly into the heart of the gospel. Jesus came to redeem not only our outward actions but every hidden part of us. John 8:12 reminds us that “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” The invitation to walk in His light is a call to move from darkness into His glorious presence. In Christ, there’s no need to hide, to conceal, or to live in fear of being exposed. We are fully known by God, and yet He invites us to live without shame, to walk in the truth of His forgiveness and mercy.
As we consider that nothing is hidden that will not be made known, we’re reminded that God’s plan of redemption is to bring all things to light. This process of exposure and renewal is part of the gospel message, not to condemn us, but to lead us from darkness into the light of His grace. In Christ, we are not called to remain hidden in our sins but to step into the light, where everything—good, bad, and ugly, is laid bare. And in that light, God offers forgiveness, cleansing, and the strength to live in a way that pleases Him.
So when we come before God, we don’t have to fear the unveiling of our lives. While it’s true that nothing can be concealed from Him, the gospel assures us that He is ready to redeem all things. Every hidden part of our hearts, every secret sin, is seen, and in Jesus, everything can be forgiven. We are invited to step into His light, where our pasts, no matter how dark, can be transformed.
God’s grace is not just about addressing the visible sins in our lives but about bringing everything to light, so we can be free from the burden of hidden-ness and walk in the fullness of His love. Even the darkest parts of our hearts can be transformed, not just forgiven, but made new. In Christ, nothing about us is beyond His reach, and in His love, everything is made new.
The beauty of this truth is that we don’t need to live in fear or shame. Christ’s light exposes, yes, but it also heals. There is no part of us, no matter how hidden, that cannot be redeemed. And as we stand in His light, we no longer need to hide but are invited… no… actually commanded, to live openly, free from the weight of secrecy. Through the work of Jesus, all things are made new, and every hidden thing will one day be revealed, not to condemn, but to glorify God and celebrate His transformative power. As we reflect on the truth that nothing is hidden from God, we are reminded that His justice and mercy are perfectly and profoundly intertwined. There is no darkness too deep, no secret too concealed, that cannot be brought into His light. And while this reality may cause fear in the hearts of those who walk in rebellion, for those who trust in Christ, it becomes the greatest hope. For in His light, we are fully known, yet fully loved. The very things we once hid in the shadows, our mistakes, our failings, our sins, are the very things He offers to redeem.
In Christ, there is no need for shame, no need to hide what has already been seen by the One who offers forgiveness. His invitation is clear: Come into the light. Let the things you’ve hidden be exposed, not for your condemnation, but for your healing. As the Scriptures declare, “the goodness of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4), and in His goodness, He makes all things new.
It is here, in the full knowledge of God’s righteousness and His grace, that the true New Beginning unfolds. When we turn to God, confessing and laying bare every hidden thing, He does not condemn us, but transforms us. He doesn’t just erase the visible sins, but He brings to light even those darkest corners of our hearts, offering them all up to the work of His redemption.
Through Jesus, the power of God’s anger against sin is met by the boundless mercy that calls us to start again. He sees it all and still says, “Come, be made whole.” This is not just a promise for the future, but a reality for today, a present invitation to embrace the fullness of His forgiveness and step into the light of His love. And as we live in this light, we find the strength to live boldly, knowing that all things have been made new, and nothing remains hidden from the One who makes all things new.
In the grandest sense, there is no greater beginning than this: a new life in Christ, where nothing is hidden, all is revealed, and everything is made right by the power of His grace. With every step we take, we walk in the freedom of His truth, no longer bound by the darkness, but shining brightly in the light of His redemptive love. This is the invitation that stands before each of us today, an invitation not to hide, but to be fully known and fully loved, and in that, to find our truest, most beautiful beginning.