LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 – The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

THEME OF THE DAY. WHAT IF WE COULD? Let’s imagine something together. It isn’t possible, but let’s do it anyway. In looking back on our Christian lives, if we could change some things, what would they be? It doesn’t matter how long we have walked with Christ. If there were just a couple of areas of Christian living or the practices of Biblical spiritual disciplines we could “redo”, what would they be? Some people may say, “I would pray and read my Bible more.” Others might chime in, “Be more faithful to church and serving God’s people.” And still yet another response might be, “I would be more of a spiritual leader in my home and share the Gospel more frequently.”

I am sure there are other things in our walks with the Lord that we would look back upon and say, “Yes, I would do those things differently or better”. As for me? Two things I would like a “redo” on. Perhaps they are two things that touch home to some of you as well. But before we go on, let’s remember today’s scripture. Though we may have fallen short many times over in our walks with the Lord; though we may long to go back and do things differently, we do have “new day mercies” which means we can start afresh. Today. Right now. So with that hope, here are two things to start afresh that may have been shortcomings in the past.

First, be an observable role model in our homes. The Apostle Paul writes, I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3). It doesn’t matter if we are surrounded by the sound of little feet or under the watchful eyes of teenagers and spouses, more of Christ is caught by family members watching us live His truth than simply hearing us talk His truth. Strive daily to remember we are being watched and the look from those observing us is a look of validation – are we living what we say we are?

Another thing to change, if needed, and to do so today, is strive for Christ-like holiness – Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). The end goal of salvation is our personal holiness or becoming more like Christ. God states this in the opening chapter of the book of Ephesians – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (Ephesians 1:3-4). This stated goal of salvation becomes our daily pursuit worked out in our conduct, attitudes, and speech. The Apostle Paul’s exhortation to “work out our salvation in fear and trembling” is the whole of our Christian life (Philippians 2:12). And to do so requires a daily resolve to put into practice obedience to God’s commands. It is through purposeful obedience holiness is developed.

Yes, all of us would like to “redo” parts of our Christian life, but we cannot. However, we can start afresh today. May God help us do so with a conscious awareness of our responsibility to represent Christ well to those observing us and to pursue holiness with a single eye on God’s glory. If we do, then we need not wish for a redo on life for it was lived well once.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for new mercies that come to me every day. May I live them out in obedience to You.”

QUOTE: “We don’t get to do the Christian life over so make it count starting today.”