All Things New

Fresh smells. Flowers and new growth. In the springtime, it is what I most enjoy – the smells. The aroma of newness.

I cleaned the inside of my car with wipes and a spray called “New Car Smell” – and this is NOT a new car. Yet, this concoction in the bottle seemed to revive what was not previously a new smelling vehicle. However, I do know this is only a counterfeit smell to mask the actual odors in my car. Its not legit and it will fade in time and the original, actual odors will again dominate the smell while I get buckled in.

So much of this world – even the temporary joys and pleasures we have – are fleeting and temporary. They just don’t last. New cars become old. Paint fades and chips on our homes. Young, slim and sleek bodies become, well, not so as we age. We lose hair where we want it only to have it reappear where we don’t. We can mask some of these affects with new paint, diets and hair plugs, but eventually it’s a losing battle.

We are promised so much more in eternity.

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I ^lam making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” – Revelation 21:5 ESV

I would also encourage you to click on and read the remainder of chapter 21 of Revelation to experience the word picture that is the New Jerusalem – Link to Revelation 21:9-27

Jesus doesn’t use a fake odor to cover the stink of this world but makes all things new and that we will experience God’s full glory as our light instead of sunshine.

The Apostle Paul describes how we have access to God’s renewal through Christ even before we experience the ultimate renewal –

“But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:20-24 ESV (emphasis mine)

We do love our new things! Don’t settle for a counterfeit life, trying to cover up your shortcomings and failures by “doing good”, but decide to follow Jesus with your life and he’ll work to conform your life after his – with a true aroma of newness.

_{Photo Credit: S C F B C dot org}