Kingdom's Keys Fellowship
Where God's Kingdom Meets Man's Heart.
Epiphany 5 Same Old? No, Same New
Epiphany 5 Same Old? No, Same New
Why do people watch ‘the news,’ read ‘news’papers, look for ‘new’ clothes, ‘new’ styles, anything new, novel, never seen or heard before. If you look at the ‘news’ industry what is its goal? Unfortunately it is based on what attracts people to watch. Tragedies, conflicts, celebrities and their escapades, fallen idols, crime and the exposure of base human nature seem to make up what is called ‘new.’ Its question---is it newsworthy, that is, worthy of being on a ‘news’ show?
The nature of newness is something we don’t really look into because we take it for granted that what all the media bring us is ‘new.’ But is it? Are we allowing an industry that exploits a need in us to define and shape what we accept as ‘new?’ In reality are we accepting a major portion of what influences us from the media to be our lord? Has the media become our lord? Are we being de-spiritualized? Are the issues that crash into our consciousness from TV consuming our time and energy? Do we find ourselves wrestling inside and out with issues, over which, we have no personal control? 99% of what comes across the media is not only beyond our reach but also beyond our personal world and our personal control.
Add to this the facts that people may go to the same job, wake up in the same house, go through the same old day in the same old way with the same old job and the same old boss. Day after day nothing changes in their humdrum lives. It seems nothing ever changes. Instead of ‘newness’ a ‘sameness’ has replaced it. They shut out newness because it is scary. If they depart from the comfort of sameness it is too risky. For those the news industry provides a vicarious ‘newness’ they can take part in without having to risk being in a position to experience personal newness.
OK, so what is real newness? It is the presence of Jesus Christ bringing a new relationship that makes every moment a new moment right where we are in the local world in which we live. The secular world would say that’s old news. But every day in Jesus is a new day and every moment in it is a new moment. Real newness has to do with being a person who can react to any situation from a spiritual perspective of integrity, honesty and consistency. This may require risk, exposure, taking a chance, standing up against the crowd, the in-group, the status quo and its injustice or it may take a position wherein humility replaces pride, love replaces resentment, a growing consciousness of the needs of others takes precedence over one’s own needs and a willingness to put yourself out front when needed. It involves being conscious of your immediate environment with its personal and interpersonal demands. In Jesus Christ everyone is a spiritual pioneer. Every believer is a pioneer, a leader and vital because the real world is not ‘out there’ but right where we are. Every moment presents us with an opportunity for a new spiritual response.
The secular world brings sameness and defines newness in terms of what will grab the attention of the moment and distract us from spiritual reality. Political and economic issues are the sameness exploited to keep your attention away from spiritual reality. The fact that it is probably unintentional on the part of those in the ‘news industry’ makes no difference. We know the truth and it is the truth that sets you free, free to be new in every moment. What was it Paul said? “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2Cor.5:17).” Note that is the present tense, ‘is’ a new creation meaning a new creation brings newness to every succeeding moment, new for the one needing to respond and new for the one receiving the response. And both are in the context of the presence of Jesus.
Jesus brings something new in every succeeding moment. Just as He was new to mankind 2000 years ago He became the Good News that redefined and reshaped how a person sees and reacts to each “new’ moment. Jesus is always bringing something new because He is the embodiment of newness. Every moment is a spiritual moment making it new instead of a ‘same old’ moment. Instead of replying when asked how you are doing, ‘you know, the same old same old’ you might say, ‘the same new, same new.’ In every moment “What counts is a new creation (Gal.6:15)” Stay tuned……..
Why do people watch ‘the news,’ read ‘news’papers, look for ‘new’ clothes, ‘new’ styles, anything new, novel, never seen or heard before. If you look at the ‘news’ industry what is its goal? Unfortunately it is based on what attracts people to watch. Tragedies, conflicts, celebrities and their escapades, fallen idols, crime and the exposure of base human nature seem to make up what is called ‘new.’ Its question---is it newsworthy, that is, worthy of being on a ‘news’ show?
The nature of newness is something we don’t really look into because we take it for granted that what all the media bring us is ‘new.’ But is it? Are we allowing an industry that exploits a need in us to define and shape what we accept as ‘new?’ In reality are we accepting a major portion of what influences us from the media to be our lord? Has the media become our lord? Are we being de-spiritualized? Are the issues that crash into our consciousness from TV consuming our time and energy? Do we find ourselves wrestling inside and out with issues, over which, we have no personal control? 99% of what comes across the media is not only beyond our reach but also beyond our personal world and our personal control.
Add to this the facts that people may go to the same job, wake up in the same house, go through the same old day in the same old way with the same old job and the same old boss. Day after day nothing changes in their humdrum lives. It seems nothing ever changes. Instead of ‘newness’ a ‘sameness’ has replaced it. They shut out newness because it is scary. If they depart from the comfort of sameness it is too risky. For those the news industry provides a vicarious ‘newness’ they can take part in without having to risk being in a position to experience personal newness.
OK, so what is real newness? It is the presence of Jesus Christ bringing a new relationship that makes every moment a new moment right where we are in the local world in which we live. The secular world would say that’s old news. But every day in Jesus is a new day and every moment in it is a new moment. Real newness has to do with being a person who can react to any situation from a spiritual perspective of integrity, honesty and consistency. This may require risk, exposure, taking a chance, standing up against the crowd, the in-group, the status quo and its injustice or it may take a position wherein humility replaces pride, love replaces resentment, a growing consciousness of the needs of others takes precedence over one’s own needs and a willingness to put yourself out front when needed. It involves being conscious of your immediate environment with its personal and interpersonal demands. In Jesus Christ everyone is a spiritual pioneer. Every believer is a pioneer, a leader and vital because the real world is not ‘out there’ but right where we are. Every moment presents us with an opportunity for a new spiritual response.
The secular world brings sameness and defines newness in terms of what will grab the attention of the moment and distract us from spiritual reality. Political and economic issues are the sameness exploited to keep your attention away from spiritual reality. The fact that it is probably unintentional on the part of those in the ‘news industry’ makes no difference. We know the truth and it is the truth that sets you free, free to be new in every moment. What was it Paul said? “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2Cor.5:17).” Note that is the present tense, ‘is’ a new creation meaning a new creation brings newness to every succeeding moment, new for the one needing to respond and new for the one receiving the response. And both are in the context of the presence of Jesus.
Jesus brings something new in every succeeding moment. Just as He was new to mankind 2000 years ago He became the Good News that redefined and reshaped how a person sees and reacts to each “new’ moment. Jesus is always bringing something new because He is the embodiment of newness. Every moment is a spiritual moment making it new instead of a ‘same old’ moment. Instead of replying when asked how you are doing, ‘you know, the same old same old’ you might say, ‘the same new, same new.’ In every moment “What counts is a new creation (Gal.6:15)” Stay tuned……..
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