At the beginning of each new year. Everyone wants to start fresh. Everyone wants new habits and new muscles. However, in order to have these better attributes and to keep up the actions that make them possible, we must first have new thoughts, because it is better thinking that leads to better living.
So, what divides the failures of last year's thoughts from the success of this year's living?
I think you need a sword.
Luke 2 says, 22When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord...23 ...34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Did you catch what Jesus would do? He would cause some to rise and others to fall (depending on whether they accepted or rejected Him). He would be spoken against so that thoughts of many who rejected him would be revealed, and He (His teachings, life, and death), would force His mother to painfully choose to believe until the end or give up.
There is an old commentary series called the Pulpit Commentaries. It says this about Mary, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.” The childhood in the Nazareth home, and the early manhood in the Nazareth carpentry, were no doubt her happiest days, though, in those quiet years, expectation, fears, dread, curiously interwoven, must have ever torn that mother’s heart. The days of the public ministry for Mary must have been sad, and her heart full of anxious forebodings, as she watched the growing jealousies, the hatred, and the unbelief on the part of the leading men of her people. Then came the cross. We know she stood by it all the while. And, after the cross and the Resurrection, silence. Verily the words of Simeon were awfully fulfilled. 'Thou shalt feel in thine own heart the contradiction in regard to thy Son, when thou thyself shalt be seized with doubt in regard to his mission.'” Mary was pierced deeply too as she wrestled with the teachings and sufferings of her Son. Would she obey or would she try to intervene? Would she believe him or give up?
The Word of God, in this case, the life and death of Christ, separates people into two categories: Christ Follower (rising); Christ rejecter (falling). He separates good thoughts and bad thoughts one from another. He reveals two different pathways of thinking that lead to different, distinct, behaviors. He forces men to choose one side or the other, and, when they find their place, the hearts of people are revealed. You have two sides. Acceptance or rejection.
Hebrews 4:12 says, "12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." You must choose that His will is done, not your will, when you read scripture and see His life. We must actively chose adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and submission especially when God's Word cuts your hearts and motives into two pieces.
Are you rising or falling as you are confronted with Jesus’ teaching? Does he lift you higher or burden you down? Are you on the bench or on the ice? Do his words cut you to the heart so that you confess and turn away, or do they slay you to avoid any meaningful prayer, thought, and action? If you failed last year, it was probably because you failed to be molded by God's Word. Cut yourself away for the sin that entangled you last year with the sword of Jesus Christ.
App List:
Do an in-depth study of God’s Word.
Read a Proverb a day with the whole family
Memorize one verse a week with the whole family
Obey Jesus especially when it hurts.
Respond to conviction, turn away from sin and believe in the promises of Christ: new life, new hope, forever.
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