Today’s devotional from New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp was on the topic of change. Funny how timely this is with 2021 right around the corner. Over the years, I have read numerous articles on the topic of “New Year resolutions” – you know the do’s and the don’ts and the how-to’s, but so often that is actually what they are – a list. Now don’t get me wrong, it is not that “lists” are bad – I create them weekly to help me stay focused and accomplish tasks throughout the week – the problem is an unchanged heart. Our root problem isn’t lists, it is my unchanged heart issues. If my heart lingers in the unchanged, no list will help me…or you.
Here are some thoughts about “change” from today’s devotional. I hope it is an encouragement to you as it was a conviction for me.
CHANGE IS POSSIBLE – not because you have wisdom and strength, but because you have been blessed with the grace of Jesus. (Isn’t this comforting?)
Oh, how we cling – rapidly cling to the ideas, thoughts, beliefs that we are stuck; that our lives have hit the “dead end” and there is no hope. We encase ourselves in concrete and choose to live in the impossible. But change is possible. Change is possible even in the places where change seems most hopeless. Why? Because the Giver of transformative grace has made you and me the place where He dwells. Let me say that again, the Giver of transformative grace has made YOU and ME THE PLACE WHERE HE DWELLS! If you need to read that again, do so until you get it. You are His dwelling place – change is possible, my friends!
#1 – There is that work of personal growth in our lives (change) that we call progressive sanctification. This is God’s life—long commitment to actually make you and I what He declares, justified. Did you hear that — God’s life–long commitment. God is committed to you for life, for eternity!
We are declared righteous. Think about it – God is taking every situation, every location, every relationship, everything…EVERYTHING in our life and employs every situation, every location, every relationship, everything as His tools for our transformation by His grace.
- HE IS NOT RESTING!
- HE DOES NOT LEAVE THE WORK OF HIS HANDS.
- HE TAKES NO BREAKS.
- He is relentlessly working to change me in all that His grace makes it possible for me to be – and He does the same for YOU!
- HE WILL NOT BE CONTENT FOR ME TO BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
- He will work by grace until I am finally and totally free of sin, that is, molded into the image of His perfectly righteous Son.
#2 – This same zealous Savior, who is full of grace and work, is also a dissatisfied Creator. He is not content to leave this world in its present sin—scarred condition. He will return His world to the condition it was before sin left its destruction. Change really is the zeal, the heart, of our Redeemer. How?
- Through personal change (Titus 2:11—14)
- Through environmental change (Revelation 21:1—5)
When you become…disappointed in yourself, when you are grieved at the sin in your relationships, or within yourself; when you are upset with the conditions of your world and you cry out for change…you are crying for something that hits right at the center of the zeal of your Savior’s grace! Christlikeness is taking root.
- Change doesn’t mean God will give us what we want, when we want, how we want.
- Change doesn’t mean God will turn the hearts of people around us into who we want them to be.
- Change doesn’t mean God will make our lives easier, wealthier, or more pleasurable.
Change, the grace of Jesus, isn’t selfish.
Where real change is needed – God will pour out His grace to those who believe it only comes from Him; He will then take, do, accomplish, use what He needs to accomplish – complete His work in YOU!
That is God’s grace!
Read Colossians 3:1—17.
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE 