New Beginnings
SINCE DR. JOHN WALVOORD’S PASSING I have thought often about his love for spring. To him spring was about new beginnings. With spring flowers bloom, projects begin, and one’s general perspective transfers from the hibernation of winter to the vitality of life.
More importantly I think Dr. Walvoord loved spring because it reminded him of a great scriptural truth—newness of life in Christ. Listen to one of Scripture’s most precious promises:
“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17, NET BIBLE)
According to Paul this newness is an outcome of the death and resurrection of Christ (vv. 14–15). After all, “new” makes sense only when contrasted with what is “old.” Paul reinforces this by stating that newness comes only from being “in Christ.” Jesus’ resurrection ensures that by faith one finds his life in Him. A new process has started. Let me illustrate.
Ian L. Wilson tells the story of a London businessman who was selling a warehouse property. The building had been empty for months and was in need of repair. Vandals had damaged doors, smashed windows, and strewn trash around the interior. As he showed a prospective buyer the property, the owner offered to replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct structural damages, and remove the garbage. “Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said. “When I buy this place I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I want the site.”
Do you see the connection? Through the blood of Christ God has purchased our sites! He does not repair us; He rebuilds what was destroyed by sin. In His eyes the “old” is now “new.”
From our vantage point we are still under construction! But by His grace one day His newness will be totally manifested in our lives—eternally—in the likeness of His Son. We know this because when we see Him we will be like Him (1 John 3:2). This spring our good friend Dr. John Walvoord is now completely new. Praise God, one day we’ll join him in his Christlikeness!
About the Contributors
Mark L. Bailey
Dr. Bailey assumed the role of DTS Chancellor after serving for 19 years as the Seminary’s fifth President, and continues his role as Sr. Professor in the Bible Exposition department. In addition to his years at Dallas Theological Seminary, he has pastored various churches in Arizona and Texas. He was a seminar instructor for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries for twenty years and is in demand for Bible conferences and other preaching engagements all over the country and world. His overseas ministries have included Venezuela, Argentina, Hungary, and China. He is also a regular tour leader in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Rome. His board service includes Bible Study Fellowship, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, and Word of Life.