So, one third of the way through 2010, how are you doing on your New Year's Resolutions? Each year on January 1, millions of Americans make a list of their New Year's resolutions. Studies show that most are not successful at making the changes they want to make. The success rate found by the studies is between 12 and 22 percent. Less than a quarter of the people who make resolutions actually end up following through with them.
Can you identify with the frustration of wanting to make a change in your life, determining in your mind that you are going to make the change, and then failing as you move forward with your plans? What is the secret to success when we want to grow as a Christian and our resolutions aren't enough to bring about the change we need?
Instead of focusing on making resolutions, or promising to try our best to change ourselves, I believe we need to experience a total revolution through the converting power of God. The word resolution comes from the verb resolve, which means to decide firmly to do something. Following the same thought process, revolution would come from the world revolve, which is to turn around. By being converted, or turned back to loving and following God, we are also changed through His power; this change is the goal, but not usually the end result, of making resolutions.
So how can one be converted? Before answering that, a word of caution is in order. There is nothing we can do to convert ourselves. Conversion is something that God does to us and in us. However, there is a part we can play. Most of what we can do is simply allowing Him to work in our lives, or not resisting Him. We can also turn our attention to the subjects that God uses to do His converting work in our lives.
Here are my three tips for making a New Year's Revolution.
#1: Give up immediately. It is better than trying and failing.
#2: Act like a carefree little kid.
#3: Eat more than you have ever eaten before. Feast like royalty every day.
Tip #1: Give up immediately
Many people give up on their New Year's resolutions within the first week after making them. Ironically, if we want to make a New Year's revolution, we will never be able to succeed unless we first give up. In surrendering our lives to God, we give Him permission to do whatever He needs to do to transform us.
In Matthew 25:1-12, we find the story of ten virgins who are waiting for a bridegroom to come by in his wedding procession, which they hope to join. It is dark, and all ten virgins have a lamp with them. However, five of the virgins are called foolish virgins because they do not have a supply of oil with them to keep the lamp burning. In the Bible, the lamp is a symbol of the word of God (Psalm 119:105). In order for a lamp to burn, it needs oil, which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
Although these virgins all hold on to the Word of God and look forward to the coming of the Bridegroom, the story shows they are not ready for Him when He comes because they do not have any oil in their lamps. Without a heart that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit, our lives will not be transformed by the Word of God.
How do we make that surrender?
"Many are inquiring, 'How am I to make the surrender of myself to God?' You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair.
What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him."
The will we are to surrender to God is our power of choice. Surrendering to the Holy Spirit means giving Him the right to make our choices for us. It is as simple as confessing, "I want you to be in control of my life. I admit that Your ways are better than mine, and I want to do things your way." Every day we are making choices about our time, our relationships, and our activities. The Holy Spirit constantly speaks to us through our conscience, and we have a choice to surrender to doing things His way, or choosing to do them our own way.
The quote continues in sobering fashion, with the same message as the parable with its lamp-holding, Bridegroom-anticipating virgins who still are not ready when He arrives:
"Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail you nothing. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not now choose to be Christians. Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in your life. By yielding up your will to Christ, you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith." Steps to Christ p. 47, 48
Giving up and giving God permission to lead your life is the source of true will power. We will not succeed at converting ourselves simply by desiring to be changed, or even by trying hard in our own strength to make changes. Change takes place through the power of Christ who lives and dwells in our lives when we allow Him to.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
No comments:
Post a Comment