Don’t you love the smell of a brand new car! There is nothing like that smell. The aroma is fresh, clean, and full of life. God is the same way. He loves the smell of brand new.
God wants His followers to smell brand new. The Bible describes it this way:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Brand new!
- Romans 12:2, “Not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewal of your mind.” He wants us transformed not in our old fleshly form or character but brand new and clean!
A great story was recorded in 2 Kings 5 about Naaman, the Commander of the Army of Aram, a powerful ancient middle eastern kingdom. This mighty military leader contracted leprosy and desperately searched for a cure. The cure came from Elisha, the Israelite Prophet, who through his messenger commanded Naaman in verse 10, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and cleansed”, made new. Even though Naaman felt this was a ridiculous request, he humbled himself and obeyed the command. In verse 14, “So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” Naaman’s humility and obedience allowed God to do something brand new and clean in his life.
Whether it is your marriage, your relationship with children or extended family, your boss or co-worker, a neighbor that does things that are really irritating, overwhelmed with life, or under the pile of expectations from others, cry out to God setting your mind on Him not your flesh. Paul the Apostle instructs us “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22&23). Let God do something brand new today.
Barnabas Man 