New

We're just about to celebrate the New Year. The New Testament talks a lot about new things. Here are a couple of them:

New Covenant
Luke 22:20
He gave them the cup after the supper, saying, “This cup is God's new covenant sealed with my blood, which is poured out for you." 
A covenant is like a contract or agreement. The Old Covenant required the Israelites to obey the Law of Moses. You can read about this in the books of Genesis to Deuteronomy - it was pretty complicated. The New Covenant began when Jesus died and rose again. Now we are saved by grace, not by obeying a lot of laws.

New Commandment
John 13:34
And now I give you a new commandment: love one another.
God gave Moses Ten Commandments but in the New Testament Jesus gave just one commandment - to love each other. 

New Life
Acts 5:20
Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new life.
When you become a Christian you live a new life loving God and loving others. 

New Creation
2 Corinthians 5:17
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come!
When you become a Christian you are transformed to be more like Jesus. Your old sinful nature fades as you grow in spiritual maturity.

This New Year, focus on these new things from the New Testament:

1. Remember that you are saved by grace, not by works.
   
2. Love others.
   
3. Tell other people about this new life.
   
4. You are being made into a new creation.