The New Start

11 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

² And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

2 Samuel 11:1-2 (KJV)

¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

¹⁶ Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Philippians 3:12-16 (KJV)

However far we get from God, however far we have fallen, it is always possible to make a new start.

David’s Failure
David failed at this stage of his life. He should have been doing the job God had called him to do but he didn’t. Because he was idle, he was tempted. David then tried to cover up the matter. This ended in Uriah’s murder and the several other men fighting with him. David was a saved man. A sinner yes, but a saved sinner. And God sought after him.

What does a new start involve?

Forgetting the things which are past. (Philippians 3:10-16)
Paul was also a murderer. His past failures were put behind him, as well as his past successes. The devil would destroy us if he could. Our past failures can be used to discourage us. Our past successes can also be used to take our eyes off what must now be done.

A new start involves foreseeing thing things which are before us.

Paul had two important objectives in mind. One was the eventualities of life. We must have the vision to know that what lies ahead can be to the glory of God. God can use us and we must seek to find where we fit into God’s divine plan.

The second was the responsibilities of life. (verse 14 and 2 Timothy 4:7-8) No one wins who does not want to win. No one wins who does not try to win. No one is used by the Lord who will not allow the Lord to use them.

A new start involves righteous living in the present day.

It begins with confession and from confession comes righteousness and that begins service.

We are called to a “high calling.”
It is not enough to live as the world. It is not enough to live in complacency. Apathy and laziness have no part in the believer’s life and his race.

We are also called to a “holy calling.”
It means living a consecrated life for Christ.It means to be dedicated to the course God sets for us.

A new start means a reward now and on a future day.

The Bible speaks of crowns given to believers:

• The Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:25)
• The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)
• The Crown of Life (James 1:12)
• The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4)

To not live for Christ is to deny Him. To have no vision that God has a purpose for our lives and a plan to use us is to deny Christ. God has a will for our lives. First, to save us and forgive our sins. Second, to cleanse us from sin, and mature us into godly people. Third, to use us to carry on His work, and to reward us, for what He does with us.

As we grow in Christ, we can get bigger as Christ becomes greater in our lives!