What does "new" look like

The other morning a friend of mine posted a picture of the "new" look for police cars.  It was definitely different.  To me, it looked more like a Department of Public Safety [DPS] car. 

I'm not against change but it looks so much like DPS.  As a city, we are accustomed to the baby blue and white patrol cars.  Sort of the "Houston Oiler" colors.  In my tenure we went from the solid blue cars to baby blue and white to solid white.  I might add that in 1982 when I joined, my model was probably a 78 Plymouth Fury!

To my recollection, our cars have never been dark.  When he posted the picture and when I re-posted the picture the first comment was Adam 12.  To those of us who remember, that was a television series in the early 70's that featured Kent McCord and Martin Milner.  Two of the best TV cops of the day. 

The cars were black and white and they zoomed in and out of communties solving crimes and keeping order.  In today's technology those guys were rookies all the way. 

As I gave thought to the new colors, I thought about this.  We often make trips and are on the road alot.  My primary concern is DPS.  They are on the highways and they are serious so we should watch for the black and white.  The other day while travelling on the 59 service road, I saw Humble PD stop a vehicle for speeding.  Guess what color their cars are...black and white.  So when I saw this  proposal for the new color cars, again... black and white.  While I welcome the new look, I have to admit that now, all I have to look for is black and white...if I'm stopped, the agency that stopped me is irrelevant. 

It got me to thinking, when we live in sin, we all look the same. Sinners without hope, with no mercy or grace, we just all look the same. 

However, when we come to Christ and we receive his gift of salvation and mercy we are made new.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says we are a new creation.  So, if we are "new" shouldn't we look different? 

Shouldn't our attitude, our look, our actions be different?  What does the "new" look like in my life?  In your life?  What did you have to re-evaluate, change or perhaps give up?  If we have become "new" our colors should reflect that. 

We don't come to Christ and change to conform but to be transformed.  The "new" look inside us should be different from everybody else.  When others see us, they should recognize us for who we are..."new" creations in Christ.  They should see humility, compassion, gentleness, kindness, and a love for our Savior.  That's what "new" looks like. 


PS: Watch out for those black and whites!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2