I remember hearing the story of the town drunk who would attend the yearly "revival services" each year in a local church. When the revival preacher gave an invitation to come forward, this guy would respond by going forward, getting on his knees and crying out, “Fill me Lord; fill me Jesus.”
This went on for several years, but inevitably he would fall back into his old drinking habits, only to resurface at the next year’s revival and do the same thing again. Finally, after several years into this predictable pattern, as the town drunkard was crying out again, “Fill me Lord; fill me Jesus”, a little old lady in the back pew shouted out, “Don’t do it Lord, he leaks!”.
I think the reason I like that story so well is that it rings true to our own experience as young Christians. We get inspired by a great message or powerful testimony and we recommit our lives to Jesus only to find ourselves leaking within a few weeks.
The truth is that we all leak.
- Mountain top experiences,
- campfire recommitments,
- or New Year’s resolutions have a way of evaporating,
- and we quickly return to our former behaviours.
How does real and lasting change take place?
I've been re-reading M. Robert Mulholland Jr.'s, "Invitation To A Journey". Here's what he writes:
For many Christians, the quest for the deeper life in Christ is viewed as a discipline for the dedicated disciple, a pursuit for the particularly pious, a spiritual frill for those who have the time or inclination, a spiritual fad for trendy Christians.
We fail to realize that the process of spiritual shaping is a primal reality of human existence. Everyone is in a process of spiritual formation! Every thought we hold, every decision we make, every action we take, every emotion we allow to shape our behavior, every response we make to the world around us, every relationship we enter into, every reaction we have toward the things that surround us and impinge upon our lives… all of these things, little by little, are shaping us into some kind of being. We are being shaped into either the wholeness of the image of Christ or a horribly destructive caricature of that image… destructive not only to ourselves but also to others, for we inflict our brokenness upon them.
Notice these key ideas:
- The Myth – discipleship is optional or a “spiritual frill for those who have the time or inclination”. There is no such category in Scripture for a follower of Jesus. All who are called to salvation are called to discipleship.
- The Premise – only Christians are engaged in spiritual formation. “We fail to realize that the process of spiritual sha (ping is a primal reality of human existence.” All of us, Christian and non-Christian, are engaged in spiritual shaping all of the time whether we realize it or not.
- The Process – it touches every aspect of our being. “Every thought we hold, every decision we make, every action we take, every emotion, every relationship... every reaction... all these things, little by little, are shaping us.”
- The Outcome – we are being shaped in one of two ways. “Either the wholeness of the image of Christ or a horribly destructive caricature of that image.”
This is why New Year’s resolutions don’t really change us in any significant way.
They don’t go deep enough or long enough or broad enough.
Don't keep recommitting yourself to a Jesus you barely understand. Instead start committing yourself to the things Jesus says and does: i.e. reading and studying the Scriptures, obedience, prayer, solitude, service, community, and loving others (that's a start).
Remember Jesus’ mandate to “make disciples teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) goes beyond informing the mind; it aims to shape the character. It included tutoring the heart in godly character as well as training disciples in practical ministry skills. The New Testament picture of discipleship targets the head, the heart, and the hands.
The process of transformation (what God does) is inseparably related to formation or discipleship (what we do) and the habits we form.
- When thoughts are repeated, rehearsed and reinforced they become beliefs,
- habitual feelings become emotions,
- and repeated behaviors become habits.
One more thing. And this is vital. It is mission critical. Self-improvement and behavioral modification is possible through developing new habits, Christian transformation is only possible when this process is infused with the Spirit of Christ who comes to live in the heart of a believer.
Christianity is not hard; it’s impossible. You can’t live a Christian life apart from the life of Christ. Discipleship is not a matter of turning over a new leaf, but rather, receiving a new life.
God, by His Holy Spirit, comes to live in the heart of the believer. He creates new affections (new loves, new desires) that inform the mind and empower the will.
Paul expresses this when he says:
…continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:12
Note that Paul identifies "your work" and "God’s work".
- You (the believer) are to work out your salvation.
Not work for your salvation but to work out what God has already worked in as a free gift.
I understand what a “workout” is and does.
A physical workout takes time, energy and effort and over time will reshape the body.
Likewise, spiritual practices take time, energy and effort, but over time will reshape the soul. - Note as well, God’s work in this – “God is working in you to give you the desire and power to do what pleases him.”
As we look to a new year, don’t fall into the trap of the self-help gospel. No, embrace the Good News. Jesus came into this world so that you can encounter Him and let Him empower you to live the life He calls you to. Prompted and empowered by the Holy Spirit, commit yourself to the things Jesus calls you to.
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