Freedom of the New Year: Forgiven

January, 2007

by: Walt Bertelsen

I have a problem with New Year resolutions. Invariably, I start off the new year ready for a fresh start. “This year,” I say to myself, “will be different. I’m going to do it right.” Then, somewhere into the new year, I become vaguely conscious that the fresh start has gone stale.

The problem is that I’m a legalist at heart.

One would think that, having been a Christian for X number of years, I would be able to do things better. However, I have found the following to be true: My flesh never gets any better.

The “flesh” is who I am, apart from Christ, apart from dependence upon Him and the power of the Spirit in obedience to God. It is what I tend to rely on (my main idol—my main “squeeze,” my old desires), except as I, by His grace, walk with Him. My flesh, of course, does not want to rely on Christ.

The list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19 seems so horrendously evil that I find myself thinking, “That’s not me.” Then the Lord reminds me, “Think again, Ndonky!” The list includes idolatry and selfish ambition “and the like.” (“Selfish ambition” may be translated “disputes” or “rivalries” in your Bible).

Walking with Christ requires that I keep my nose in the Book, with my brain and my heart attuned to the Spirit of God. That’s work—I’d rather have a telegram from God! Then my life would run smoothly. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it!” That’s what the Israelites told God at Mt. Sinai, (Ex 19:8) and the result was the Law.

While my flesh wants the rules, my flesh is the very thing that keeps me from following the rules (see Rom 8:3). Thank God, Christ died for my sin, and there is no condemnation! Yet God cannot truly love me and leave me stuck in the muck. His Gospel is all about change. He gives new life, then He sets about matching our life to His.

In repentance and rest

So, do we sit around and wait for a match? Not exactly. His promise to change us is certain (Rom 8:29), but, at the same time, he has given us a part in living out our salvation (Phil 2:12,13). Our Christian life is to be characterized by repentance. As Isaiah put it (Isaiah 30:15), “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Repentance may need to be rather continuous. I hear people chafe at this. Perhaps they’ve done a word study, and find the word primarily describes salvation. However, the idea is everywhere in the Bible, Old and New Testament alike. Check out Prov 28:13 regarding sins: “…whoever confesses and forsakes them finds mercy.” (See also Ps 51:17). Confessing our sin (1 Jn 1:9) is not something separate from repentance. If you are truly “agreeing with God” about your sin, then you’ll want to do something about it.

How do I know that I am forgiven?

Many struggle with assurance of forgiveness—perhaps because the same sin keeps showing its ugly face. If this is true of you, don’t be disappointed that your flesh is not getting better: that would mean that you still believe in yourself, rather than Christ. Remember that the answer is “repentance and rest.” The Holy Spirit gives conviction, so that you understand sin as God does. Then you resolutely (good New Year’s word) turn to the Lord from your idol, resting on Him and His power—and grace—to change it by dying to self (“mortifying” the flesh), and resting in His forgiveness. If you aren’t sure how to do that, it’s time to get with another man who can mentor you, hold you accountable, suggest a replacement strategy, whatever. This is part of what we do in the Men’s Ministry.

Have you not read what Jesus told the disciples in Luke 24:44-49? There, He opened their minds to understand how our God has fulfilled His promises, and that “repentance for forgiveness of sins” will be preached to all nations.

Don’t let it go stale.