ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT IN 2014?

Did you read the title and ask the question: “What is the ‘it?” The “it” is anything you planned to do during the year 2014. You might have finally made the decision this is the year I am going to lose weight. It will require a strong, determined will-power, as you may have made the same decision any number of times before. Of course, you may be saying at this very moment, you could have picked a different subject to start the New Year!
Well, how about this? You have decided this is the year, 2014, I am going to grow in Christ! Did the subject get any better? Of course, you have thought about this in years past, even last year; but somehow the days went by and turned into months and no growth took place. You see, making the decision to lose weight is a lot like the decision to grow in Christ. Our intentions are good, we made the decision in all honesty, but it just never happened! So, what can we do about growing in Christ? You can take care of the weight problem.
Have you ever thought about the question: “What is the one reason I have not grown in Christ through the years?” Why is my life just about the same as it has been for a number of years? What is the one reason? Stop and take a deep breath, as you are not going to like the answer! When Jesus was asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law;” he answered: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:36- 37). You see, in your mind, you are thinking, “How dare anyone question my love for God?” The words come flying through the air: “Preacher, I am in every worship, both Sunday morning and evening; unless I am physically unable to be there.” And on you go: “I never miss a Wednesday Bible study.” To God be the glory, but this is not the question. Remember the question: “Are you going to grow in 2014?” Of course, the subject is spiritual growth and you knew the moment you read the title!
What will your love of God: “with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and “with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30), compel you to do in the year 2014, that you did not do in the year 2013? Let’s start with the mind of Christ! You know the words: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). If you really had the mind of Christ, which is expressed by the words, humble obedience (Phil 2:8); what would you do different in the year 2014, that you did not do in the year 2013? Well, will you be able to say at the end 2014, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:17)? What about having the “spirit of Christ” in the year 2014?” Recall just here, Paul’s words to the Romans: “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom. 8:9). Now the question: What had Jesus done that made the disciples remember the words: “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up?” If you remember, it was when he saw that some had made the temple into a “house of merchandise”? What had Jesus done before he uttered these words? He “had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, ….” (John 2:15-16). Will you express the same kind of zeal that Jesus did when you see and hear of those who are doing their very best to change the nature and character, the worship, work, and mission, of the church? If not, what about your love of God? Is it growing?
As a child of God, growth is natural; and when spiritual growth does not take place, tests can be done to determine what is wrong! Well, if you did not grow spiritually in the year 2013, and you have no real plans to grow spiritually in the year 2014, do you think it might be time to see the spiritual doctor?
Have you ever sung the song: “The great Physician”? Read the words and think: “The great Physician is now near, The sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, Oh! Hear the voice of Jesus. Sweetest note in seraph song, Sweetest Name on mortal tongue; Sweetest carol ever sung, Jesus blessed Jesus.” Jesus, the great physician” is standing by desiring to help you grow spiritual in Christ in the year 2014! ARE YOU GOING TO DO “IT” IN 2014?
— Frank R. Williams