We love the idea of self-improvement, don’t we?
No more lounging for me! I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to rise with the dawn and conquer the entire Bible (and the study notes!) by Dec. 31, 2009. I will speak soothing words of encouragement to my children, do the dishes after dinner, and memorize at least twenty scriptures. I’m going to launch an evangelism blitzkrieg and the devil better get out of my way! Selfishness is over for me. From now on I’m reaching out to every person I meet. Look out world, because there’s a new me this year!
And so we’ll begin the year with a bang, kicking down spiritual doors and taking names to boot. But we know the story. Our journal entries for January 3rd begin with words like, “I fell off the wagon today…” or “I just don’t know what happened!” By February most of our lofty spiritual goals have been dropped like an old Newsboys CD, and we resign ourselves to another year of spiritual mediocrity. And we’re still only in Genesis. Sick.
So where does true change begin?
From God, By God
If we really want to grow in godliness we absolutely must start with the gospel. And this isn’t just an obligatory gospel shout-out before we get on to the real practical stuff. The gospel is the power for change. My hope for change this year is rooted in one thing: a Savior who bore all my guilt and now gives me power to change.
My spiritual goals for this year are going to get blown up. I’m going to fail, drop the ball. Even more than that, I’m going to flat out sin and rebel against God.
Where do I go when this happens? When I’m impatient with my wife, or slothful with my Bible reading? When my spiritual goals seem like nothing more than wishful thinking?
Every goal for spiritual growth this year must be approached with the following mindset: Jesus has already secured my perfect standing with God, and now he’s the one who will continue to change me.
So do you want to grow this year? Really grow? Start every day with Christ and Him crucified.
We start with Jesus Christ. The one who faithfully kept every spiritual goal. Our forgiveness. Our power for change. Our hope for a new year.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, it is all about Jesus. When we do what He asks of us, then we will be successful. It’s so easy to think about all that I am going to do. But, it’s not about me. It’s about Him.
Thanks for the reminder.
Great meditation and exhortation… let every resolution we make be gospel-soaked.
Thanks, Stephen, very well-said!
great reminder. thanks.
I’m going to launch an evangelism blitzkrieg and the devil better get out of my way! Haha I love that. You are both so funny! Thank you for the continual encouragement.
I don’t even make resolutions anymore. Ok, well, this year I made one: to read the Bible from cover to cover to know my savior better. Wish me luck, I’m a relative newbie to discipline. Luckily, I’m bringing reinforcements for accountability. Happy new year!