Year in and year out, it seems to never fail; undoubtedly, the same culturally based routine of New Year’s Resolution setting is practiced in the U.S. This past NYE was no different. As the clock struck 12:00 AM and as the Gregorian calendar’s pages flipped from 2011 to 2012, my Twitter timeline was filled with updates reflecting various resolutions. As a result, I was instantly reminded of the resolution-setting trend followed by approximately 40 - 45% of American adults; this was succeeded by a hunch that triggered me to perform some research. I was intrigued to ascertain the following concerning the time frame in which most resolutions are kept. Take a glance for yourself:
If you’ve yet to receive Jesus the living Christ and haven’t taken on the “new nature”-- I summon you today. God’s will is for you to undergo an “Extreme Makeover,” but he wants to do it His way – “Christ Edition!” I promise you that God’s plan for renovation will not diminish; it will follow through until the end -- resulting in utter fulfillment!
- 75% - past the first week
- 71% - past 2 weeks
- 64% - after one month
- 46% - after 6 months
Please note, the tradition of New Year’s Resolution setting is not necessarily a problem if executed consistently and in the correct way. However, it is simply masking a deeper humanistic want. Plain and simple --- folks want to be better. Folks want to be "made over" -- physically, mentally, spiritually and they want an improved lifestyle to be the “icing-on-the-cake.”
If you are still not fully convinced that most people set yearly resolutions and welcome change/improvements, simply ponder upon resolutions that you may have set in preceding years. Better yet, try pulling out that dusty notepad that perhaps houses resolutions that may currently be a “work-in-progress”. I’m certain that they will fall into one or more of the fore mentioned categories above.
To sum things up -- we all want and/or need an “Extreme Makeover” in some area or another! The true question is – are we willing to allow this “Extreme Makeover” to be done by Christ?
The year was around 34 AD and a young man from the city of Tarsus (present day Turkey), named Saul, stood by and watched the clothes of witnesses as an early preacher named Stephen was stoned and martyred (Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20). Saul, a Hebrew man from the tribe of Benjamin, trained under the tutelage of Gamaliel (master teacher of Jewish Law), had become a radical persecutor of the early Christian movement. Contrary to the nonviolent teachings of his mentor Gamaliel, Saul was brash, cynical and saw no error in his ways -- all of which would change within a few years.
While making the 135-mile journey from Jerusalem to Damascus, in an effort to retrieve and imprison early Christians, the light of heaven engulfed Saul. Saul had an “eye-opening” encounter with Jesus the Christ and remarkably, would never be the same!
According to scripture, after remaining physically blinded for 3 days, God used a disciple named Ananias to restore Saul’s “vision.” Due to the riveting report about Saul’s character, Ananias was originally hesitant to obey God’s command; but, after he discovered God’s purpose to use Saul as an instrument to proclaim His name and salvation to the Gentiles, Ananias hastily harkened (See Acts 9:1-19 for additional details).
Miraculously, in less time than an average workweek – Saul went from persecuting to preaching with heavenly power in the synagogues about the Son of God – Jesus! Let me remind you, Saul was previously known as a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law (Philippians 3:5) and according to Jewish belief this manner of preaching was pure blasphemy!! God had given Saul, a one-time mass-murderer, an “Extreme Makeover.” Saul, who would later become the Apostle Paul, was given a new nature in Christ! The Apostle Paul would go on later to lead God’s people and establish churches with faithful fervency. Currently, to some, he’s considered the most influential individual regarding the growth of Christianity; and today he is accredited with authorship of nearly 33% of the Bible’s New Testament writings!!
As we move backwards on the “continuum” called time to Psalm 51:5. We find a candid King David who expressed his frustration to God about his sinful nature. In this passage, David realized that he was “brought forth in iniquity, and conceived in sin.” David highlights that the intrinsic nature of man is evil and because of it, is rendered powerless in transforming the inner being to be conformed into God's image and made anew.
So then, why is change necessary? If our nature is sinful and God knows we are this way by default, why do we have to let it go? If we attempt to do right things like going to church, giving to charities, taking care of our family and striving to be good, shouldn’t that be enough? As promising and convincing as it may sound, merely striving to do good things and being a good person is not enough, there needs to be a complete transformation of the inner man; a makeover of the soul and spirit!
So then, why is change necessary? If our nature is sinful and God knows we are this way by default, why do we have to let it go? If we attempt to do right things like going to church, giving to charities, taking care of our family and striving to be good, shouldn’t that be enough? As promising and convincing as it may sound, merely striving to do good things and being a good person is not enough, there needs to be a complete transformation of the inner man; a makeover of the soul and spirit!
Readers, God has plans to accomplish great works through His children (Eph. 2:10). He also has plans for us to walk in LOVE and to allow our footsteps to be ordered by Him (Eph. 5:1 & Ps. 37:23, respectively); but, none of these great things can be accomplished lest we first be “made-over” by the Maker!
An “Extreme Makeover: Christ Edition” is initiated by first choosing to repent and follow Christ’s way. This submission is soon followed by a necessary remodel, or remake. 2 Cor. 5:17 (Amp.) declares: “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!”
As the Apostle Paul would attest, when we become ingrafted in Christ, we become a new person. It just so happened that in Paul’s case, as it is with many of us; it took an extreme encounter for him to see his error and for his eyes to be opened.
Now, with the “Extreme Makeover” comes a “new nature” encompassed by newness of life, nature, spirit and attitude; and when combined with faith, yields positive change. However, this does not mean that challenges will not come and disappointments will not ensue; but it does mean that we will have the power to overcome any opposition that comes our way. It also means that we will be equipped to fulfill God’s divine plan and purpose for our lives as outlined by the major prophet Jeremiah (Jer.29: 17). In Eph. 4:24, we are also instructed “to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
After the “new creation” has been birthed, it is critical to understand that the “old creation” will never be completely crucified while we remain in our earthen vessels (human body). This is what David understood. It is also imperative that the Christian believer performs maintenance daily to ensure the “new creation” remains intact and continues to be nourished.
To be successful in Christ, when error is noticed, it is principle to repent and turn from our wicked ways. As the late David also candidly proclaimed in Psalm 51:7, our inclination should be to possess purity from sin. Following repentance, we should strive to train the “new creation” (new spirit) to follow the precepts of God (God’s instructions as outlined in scripture) by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
This journey called life can be one full of disappointment, heartache, pain and sorrow. It is often full of dissatisfaction and disbelief which can serve as catalysts leading to a disdained disposition. The new nature found in Christ, is not a quick fix, but rather a life-long alternative if maintained appropriately.
If you’ve yet to receive Jesus the living Christ and haven’t taken on the “new nature”-- I summon you today. God’s will is for you to undergo an “Extreme Makeover,” but he wants to do it His way – “Christ Edition!” I promise you that God’s plan for renovation will not diminish; it will follow through until the end -- resulting in utter fulfillment!
