Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God…

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

It is that time of year again when many make resolutions to turn over a new leaf in January. According to award-winning behavioral scientist Katy Milkman, “You are extra motivated to tackle your goals on new beginnings (dates like New Year’s, your birthday and even Mondays) because you feel like you can turn the page on past failures”. Of course, many of these aspirations offer genuine benefits to those who can practice them. But the success of these “new year resolutions” depends purely on “raw willpower” – something that tends to fail people as early as the second week of the new year.

In the late 80s, scientists carried out two-year research into the self-change attempts of 200 New Year’s resolvers over two years. The result was startling. Published in the “Journal of Substance Abuse” (Volume 1, Issue 2, 1988–1989, Pages 127-134) ^Ref,  it showed that “Seventy-seven per cent of the sample population maintained their pledges for one week but only 19% for two years”.

The Christian Way

However, the new things and accompanying change that God promises is a more feasible kind of change based on the assurance and certainty of the “New Creation”. Therefore, the basis of our transformation and what makes it so different from typical will-driven New Year resolutions should be well understood. So, here are five ways the God promised change differs.

First, it is from God. Our change is not based on raw willpower but on a “New Nature” that God powers. The bible tells us in 2Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God…”. God is the one making the change happen – “For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him” – Philippians 2:13 (ISV). It takes more than willpower to achieve the God promised transformation, for far too often, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41). The old nature is just not fit for purpose.

“It isn’t true that where there is a will, there is automatically a way (though, of course, the will is critical). We also need an understanding of exactly what needs to be done and how it is to be accomplished” – Dallas Willard & Jan Johnson (Renovation of the Heart)

Second, it is the only thing that counts. There is no room for anyone but God to take the glory. Apostle Paul warned the believers in Galatia about the attempt by some to re-impose Old Testament rules on them, saying; “Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. And that “they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh” – Galatians 6:12-13. Too much of the world’s approach to change centres on the acquisition of bragging rights, boastfulness and self-glory – looks, prestige, status, compounded in recent times by the phenomenon of social media. Yet, for believers, we must recall that we are God’s chosen generation of peculiar people, and a holy nation of royal priesthood called out for God’s glory (1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 43:7). Any pursuit of change must have that in focus. For that reason, Paul asserts: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the NEW CREATION” – Galatians 6:14-15.

Third, it produces eternal benefits. The benefits they produce do not fade away or become obsolete – It is renewed daily. Think about the aspiration and effort that so many put into their new year resolution. The most common resolution centre around diet, health and fitness. But far too often, whatever gains people make do not last for long. Many people lose weight and then gain it back with a vengeance. Some jump on a new fashion bandwagon, and before they can say “Jack”, that fashion goes out of vogue. Now, “they do it to get a crown that will NOT LAST, but we do it to get a crown that will LAST FOREVER (1 Corinthians 9:25). The bible says, “…physical training is of SOME value, but godliness has VALUE for ALL THINGS, holding promise for both the present life and the LIFE TO COME” – 1Timothy 4:8.

Fourth, it is a “New wine in new sheepskin” case. Our God promised change is not the same as the burnout inducing, miss-match we see in the world whereby men go to bed one night and wake up the next, expecting to do significant new things. Jesus once told his followers a parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to PATCH an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will NOT MATCH the old” – Luke 5:36 (NIV). People are trying to squeeze transformation out of an old nature that does not have it when they need a new nature. The bible says in Luke 5:37-38 (NIV), “…no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins”.

Fifth, it is available all year round. God’s promise of transformation is not limited to a new calendar year. God is ready when we are, and the transformation happens every day – 2 Corinthians 4:16 “… the inward man is renewed day by day”. We only need to respond to God’s transformation work whenever the promptings arise. The bible says in Hebrews 3:15, “While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…”.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you because I do not have to rely on my strength to experience the transformation you have in store for me. You have a better way for me, and that is your Grace. Father help me see my change and pursue it your way, in Jesus name, Amen!