Talking about New Year’s resolutions is popular at this time of year; so, I figured I would take a stab at it. Each new year many people create goals (resolutions) regarding how they are going to live life differently. Nearly all these goals are made with the aim of self-improvement. Resolutions are approached as matters of self-discipline and will power: “If I am just strong enough to not pick up that candy bar,” or “If I can just muster the strength to get on that treadmill.” There is something to be said for self-discipline and will power in our efforts to change, but the reason many resolutions fail is because we think change is only about what we can do, in and of ourselves.
We must begin by acknowledging that we do not have the power, in and of ourselves, to change in the ways Christ is calling us to.
This self-discipline/will power mentality is often the way we approach our striving for sanctification in our Christian journey. “If I can just muster the strength to get on the treadmill” easily becomes “If I can just muster the strength to pick up my Bible,” etc. Our failure in keeping our resolutions and our failure in spiritual growth have the same core problem—a failure to recognize where the power to change comes from. As long as I am looking within (the purely self-discipline/will power approach) my efforts for true change will always fail. It seems counterintuitive, but this is the paradox that forms the foundation of Christian growth—in order to change, you must look outside of yourself for the power to do so.
Paul expresses this paradox in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “… ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (ESV).
Power…in…weakness. This is the paradox that lies at the core of true growth and change in the Christian life. What this principle acknowledges is that Christ must be the driving force of our growth as Christians. The self-discipline/will power approach cuts Christ out of our striving for change because it convinces us that we have the resources in ourselves to effect the change desired. This mentality may sound good and make us feel good about ourselves, but it is deeply unbiblical. In order for our growth in Christ to flourish, we must begin by acknowledging that we do not have the power, in and of ourselves, to change in the ways Christ is calling us to.
Perhaps Author Dane Ortlund says it best in his book Deeper, “Christian growth is, among other things, growth in sensing just how impoverished and powerless we are in our own strength—that is, just how hollow and futile our efforts to grow spiritually are on our own steam.”
Gospel growth is growth that is rooted in our inadequacy and in Christ’s sufficiency. Listen to the words of Paul again, “…My grace is sufficient for you…” The grace of Christ that began our journey as Christians is the same grace that propels us into deeper likeness to Christ. But this grace is only accessible to those who know they need it—for those who acknowledge their weakness.
Do not approach your spiritual growth in 2022 the way most approach their personal resolutions—if you do, your growth will last about as long as their resolutions do! Instead, believe that Christ’s grace is sufficient for your growth in 2022 and beyond, and daily cast yourself on him.
The journey of growth in Christ is walked not on the path of self-discipline and will power, but on the path of humble reliance.
