Renewal

• Matthew 19:4-6 "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.' And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."
• Ephesians 5:31-32 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

What does it mean to renew?

• The word “renewing” is the Greek #342 “anakainosis” and means to completely renovate, to completely change (for the better). Vines Expository Dictionary states that “anakainosis” is the adjustment of your moral and spiritual vision as well as the adjustment of your thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon life.

Verses on Renewal

• Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Titus 3:2-5 NIV At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

• Ephesians 4:21-24 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.
• Colossians 3:10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

• 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

• 2 Corinthians 4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

It is ALWAYS the right time to renew one's commitments, vision, strength, passion, etc.

Our disposable society says, "Throw it away. Buy another. Trade it in. Upgrade. Give up. Divorce. Find someone new. Quit. Walk away. The grass is greener on the other side. Out with the old, in with the new. "

But Jesus says, "Behold, I am making all things new!" (Rev 21:5)