I accept the forgiveness He has promised.”- Selected Messages, book 1, p. He died and rose again for my justification, and He will save me now. I need not remain a moment longer unsaved. I am a sinner, and He died upon Calvary’s cross to save me. He says, ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ ( Mark 2:17). The perishing sinner may say: ‘I am a lost sinner but Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. The whole work is the Lord’s from the beginning to the end. I will not wait until the end of this year to experience the renewal of Christ. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” ( John 15:3-5). As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
So this year I will not just SEEK revival, I will ACCEPT the renewal Christ has promised to all those who accept Him and allow Him to change their lives. His grace ALONE can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.”- Steps to Christ, p. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart they cannot purify the springs of life. “Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. I may do some good for some time, but essentially I remain as I was before. I can only press on, but that will keep me moving forward in the same condition I am in already. Of myself, there is no possibility to renew my life. True revival is a submission to Christ so that He may do a divine work in my life. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.”- Christ’s Object Lessons, p. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart for I CANNOT give it. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. “No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. If you are not experiencing revival, then it is because you are seeking it, not understanding that it is Christ that performs this work in you. It turns out that you and I will never achieve renewal or revival. If I can be just a little better I will get the revival I seek. Yes, I will, and then the Lord will reward me with a renewed spiritual experience. This year I will pray more and be more regular in my church participation.
This year I will watch what I eat, what I read, what activities I participate in. Maybe I need to do more to get myself right with God. I really want renewal but it is their fault that I have not experienced a revival. It is probably the fault of my spouse, children, parents, siblings, work colleagues, neighbor, fellow believers, or someone else. If I know I need renewal, and I know I need a spiritual revival, then why am I proceeding from year to year without this experience? But it seems a lot like last years list, and the list from the year before too. This year (insert every spiritual cliche you have ever heard or used)… This year I will be more dedicated to my family. This year I will not only know and understand God’s will, but will actually be obedient to it. This year I will be a more spiritual person. This year I will fix my relationship with God.