DO THE HARD WORK

I’ve come to realise there are no quick-fixes. There’s no “6 easy steps” to follow Jesus and never mess up. And any sermons, books, blogs or songs that say otherwise are sending us down a very dangerous path.

One Christian author told a story about an alcoholic guy who asked his church leader to pray for him to be rescued from his drinking problem. He thought this would be a quick and easy way to beat his addiction. Recognising his motive in asking for prayer, the church leader replied, “I’ve got a better idea.

I will pray for you, but you need to go to Alcoholics Anonymous.” He told the guy to follow the programme all the way through and to read his Bible every day. “In other words,” the leader explained, “do the hard work.” Do the hard work—that’s what Paul was saying to Timothy when he told him: “But you, man of God, flee from [selfishness], and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 TIMOTHY 6:11-12).

While Jesus has rescued us into God’s family, and there is no work for us to do to earn our salvation, we are still to “fight the good fight”. Changing our lives, beating addiction and creating new habits take time and effort. We have to keep committing ourselves to God and spending time with Him in the Bible each day.

Just as there is no easy path to beating something like alcoholism, there is no effort-free route to being more like Jesus. If we really want to become like Jesus, we must keep on making time for Him and putting in the effort to study the Bible.

To pray about . . .

Father, please help me to change and become more like Jesus by the power of Your Spirit. Help me to put in the effort every day to focus on You and the work You are doing in my life.