Resolutions – Ephesians 3:16

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Text: Ephesians 3:16

(presented on 12/31)

 

If we’re the resolution-making type, what we’re really resolving to do is to have more self-discipline, right?

• We just apply it to different areas of life:
• Weight loss (avoid Krispy Kreme)
• Productivity (manage time better)
• Spirituality (stick to one-year Bible-reading plan)

 

It’s all about self-discipline.

Everything will work out if I do this or don’t do that.

If I do what I don’t want to and don’t do what I want do.

If I stick with it.

It’s all about me.

 

Except it’s not. Not really.

Especially when we’re talking about spirituality.

Growing in our relationship to Christ is about what God does in us.

Notice the common factor in these verses:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23).

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man  (Ephesians 3:16).

 

Did you catch the common thread?

How can you can be more:

• loving
• joyful
• patient

… and have more self control?

 

Paul says it comes from the Spirit; it’s His fruit (not ours).

How do you grow spiritually?

• Is it by trying harder?
• Is it by praying harder?
• Is it by serving harder?

No.

 

It is God who strengthens you.

Too often we get frustrated spiritually because we think it’s all up to us.

We’ll reach our spiritual goals if we can just get the formula right: incorporate the spiritual disciplines in the right way, and conformity to Christ follows.

But it doesn’t work that way.

 

We need to realize that holiness, growing more and more into Christ’s image, is God’s work, not ours.

So much of our striving and stretching and reaching ends up putting the focus where it doesn’t need to be. On us.

And history shows that our efforts at attaining holiness fail miserably.

 

This year, focus on trusting God, not yourself.

• Talk to Him
• Love Him
• Worship Him
• Ask Him to mold you and shape you

Yes, read your Bible!  But not so you can claim sainthood as a Daily Bible Reader.  Do it to know God better.

Pray to God, not to shape His will to yours, but to cultivate your relationship with Jesus and shape your will to His.

Worship Him weekly, not for what you get out of it, but to love and adore Him openly.

 

When everything we do is God-focused, we might be amazed at the incredible things He will do.

He doesn’t really need our help.