A New Creation

Sometime around 130 BC, Roman merchants began to trade with India. Demand increased so substantially that, in the first century AD, some would complain about the amount of Roman currency going to India.

In spite of the increased demand, Romans had a limited understanding of how to reach India. Lacking knowledge of ocean currents, Roman sailors tended to follow along the coastline, which was a slow, ponderous route.

Then, sometime around 38 AD, a Greek merchant named Hippalus discovered a secret that Arab traders had known for years: that the winds of the Indian Ocean reversed themselves. This discovery enabled ships to reach India much more quickly and efficiently.

While Hippalus had not discovered new lands, he was credited with discovering a major breakthrough. His discovery had a huge impact on trade. It was a new approach and a new way of thinking.

As Believers, we can find ourselves stuck in old patterns…haunted by our habits…unable to make spiritual progress or experience the fullness of God’s promises…and failing to realize the depth of His blessings. What is the answer? We need a new revelation, a new way of thinking, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Like Paul, we need to realize that, through Christ, everything has changed. We are a new creation! We don’t have to be trapped in the past, for everything old is gone.

And the process of making things new continues. The Bible tells us that God spoke from His throne and declared, “I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:5).

How easily we can remain conformed to the old patterns. Like Hippalus, we may need to think new thoughts and get rid of our old ways of looking at things. This will happen as we stand on God’s Word, allow Him to empower us by His Spirit, and believe that all things are possible.