Christian Resolutions: Devotions From Time Of GraceExemplo

Not so simple

My wife and I set a crazy goal this year—not to go out to eat for six straight months. That’s why I bought us a cookbook entitled Simple. The quick-and-easy meals were, even for a kitchen novice like me, pretty simple. And I am proud to report that after seven weeks, we have only gone out to eat a few times. So far, so good!

I wish that achieving my spiritual goals was simple. I’d love it if expanding my compassion for the needy or letting small annoyances go was simple, a few steps that I could complete in a few minutes. But the apostle Peter knows better—“Make every effort to add to your faith” (2 Peter 1:5). Adding compassion and patience takes more than a dash of effort. It requires “every effort.”

Like mine, your sin is stubborn. And, like mine, your tempter is unrelenting. He will not let you honor God without a fight. So prepare your heart for the battle. Don’t expect a quick prayer to change your character. Make every effort—memorize Scripture, pray continually, confess frequently, set wise boundaries. You can change, but it will not be simple.

Does the challenge scare you? Then don’t forget Peter’s words—“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Divine power. Everything we need. Our knowledge of God. Our calling as his forgiven, loved, and empowered sons and daughters.

No, it won’t be simple. But with God all things are possible!