New Beginnings
A couple of weeks ago I referenced a book written by William Bridges titled Transitions. In the book, he notes that life transitions have three stages: endings, a neutral zone, and new beginnings. As I listened to the book, I was struck by how these three stages are supported by God’s Word. In fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ has all three stages. For example, Jesus’ crucifixion and death was an ending to his earthly life and ministry. His short stay in the tomb was a neutral zone, at least for his disciples, who did not yet understand what must first take place. Finally, his resurrection and Pentecost were a new beginning.
We just celebrated Resurrection Sunday, and so my focus will be on new beginnings. We experience something new when we put our trust in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We are redeemed from the law of sin and death, our relationship with our heavenly Father is restored, and we are released from bondage to live a full and abundant life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
There is much more that I could remark on regarding the positional truths and practical realities that become ours the moment we are born again. But let’s reflect for a moment on the battle for our minds as we navigate change and uncertainty in life. We know from the Scriptures that Jesus spent 40 days on earth following his resurrection. He used this time to prepare his apostles for his ascension into heaven and their future Spirit-filled ministry to spread the gospel across the globe.
Have you ever considered how important those 40 days were to the apostles, and in particular, to Peter? I believe that Peter needed this valuable time between Jesus’ resurrection and Pentecost. Remember, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times prior to Jesus’ horrific crucifixion and death. Externally, change and uncertainty were certainly present in Peter’s life. But internally, things weren’t right either. He had fallen short, and I believe he needed this time to be honest with God, himself, and probably with others. He needed this time to renounce the lies he was believing and renew his mind of any lingering guilt and shame.
We can read about Peter’s restoration in John 21. What I find remarkable is how Jesus interacted with him. Peter had just betrayed, denied, and abandoned him, yet Jesus didn’t react like someone who was holding a grudge. He didn’t judge Peter for his failures or scold him for being a bad friend. Instead, he gently and lovingly began the process of restoring Peter with a simple question, “Do you love me?”
Many scholars believe Jesus asked this question three times to match the number of times that Peter denied Jesus (John 21:17). If that is the case, it is worth noting that each time Peter reaffirmed his love for Jesus, it was met with renewed purpose. Jesus responded with “Feed my sheep.” He was freeing Peter to pursue the plans and purpose that God had for him.
What happened next? Jesus restored Peter with two simple words: “Follow me” (John 21:19). This invitation had to be comforting for him. Perhaps this took him back to the beginning – back to that pivotal moment on the banks of the Sea of Galilee when he first received such an invitation from his Master.
The apostles had no idea what they were getting themselves in to when they first accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow him. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen by trade when they left their nets to follow Jesus. Matthew was a tax collector. Simon was a zealot. Mary Magdalene had seven demons cast out of her before becoming “the apostle to the apostles.” None of them could have known the life transitions that they were going to experience in a short amount of time, nor the life transformation that would result from their faith and obedience. But in Acts 2 we read that Peter, who was once mired in guilt and shame, stood and boldly preached the Good News to a crowd soon to be set free in Christ. Cue the dramatic music. The Church of Jesus Christ was born!
Like Peter, the Lord invites us to experience new beginnings internally. We are born again the moment we put our faith in Jesus and his finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. But we are also to renew our minds regularly, so that by testing we may “discern the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). As we do this, we will find that we are free to pursue the plans and purposes that God has for us in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friends, I invite you to think about new beginnings in terms of your own personal relationship with Jesus. Where is God at work in your life to bring an end to something that is hindering your relationship with Him and with others? Do you sense that God is inviting you to something new? If so, this would be a good time for you to go through the Steps to Freedom in Christ or develop a new Stronghold Buster. Let God transform you by the renewal of your mind!
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.