As I begin the year meditating on the book of Revelation, two new year's resolutions come to mind:
Return to your first love
Be faithful unto death
The first God spoke through John to the church in Ephesus; while He encouraged their very good deeds (enduring hardship patiently, bearing up for His name's sake, not growing weary), He noted their abandonment of their first love and called them to repent and "do the works you did at first". When I was a new Christian, I was sharing Christ with everyone I met, eager to share Scripture with my unsaved roommate, not really caring whether she liked it or not. Okay, I hadn't yet learned the fine art of discernment and listening and speaking the truth in love. I was just excited about this God who loved me so much that He literally came to earth to take justice on my behalf. Where is that excitement? Where is that first love?
The second God spoke to the Smyrnan church, after telling them about the persecution they were about to suffer. Maybe persecution is not right around the corner for us (then again, maybe it is), but the faithfulness part still rings true. We are called to faithfulness. Can we do it? Not on your life. The good news is that God in the flesh didn't just come to take the Father's wrath against us upon Himself, but to give us the righteousness that we cannot accomplish ourselves. And to follow up with the grand gift of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live faithful lives. For I am the vine, you are the branches; whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
As for resolutions, I could stand to go on another diet, call my mother more, cut back on spending, and start lifting weights again. But if my ultimate goal is the same as God's for me, which is conformity to the image of Christ, then I really ought to return to my first love, and practice a life of faithfulness.
Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! (Psalm 109:26)
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