Amazingly, God gives us eternal salvation as a free gift. We can’t earn it or deserve it. We can only receive it by turning from sin and trusting in Him. Knowing God is the best gift we can ever receive and came at the highest price, yet God was willing to pay that price in full for our sakes when He died upon the cross. He earned salvation for us. He said, “it is finished” (John 19:30), meaning our sin has been paid for in full. That is humbling and reason for gratitude and great joy.
Yet although our salvation comes as a free gift of grace received by faith in God, the Bible instructs us that the Christian life requires our participation as we live out our new identity as Christians. As we walk the Christian walk, we are told to “apply diligence” (2 Pet. 1:5), “seek” (Mt. 7:7), “hold fast” (Phil 2:16), “make every effort” (2 Tim. 4:9), “work” (2 Chron. 15:7), “pursue” (Rom. 14:19), “draw near” (James 4:8), etc. Christian Author Dallas Willard once wrote, “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.” God gives us grace to grow into a greater experience of knowing Him more, of becoming more like Him, and of making a difference in this world. This requires us to make wise choices and to participate in our new life with God.
Ephesians 5:15 tells us, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.” “Being very careful” is a matter of our personal contribution and participation. As you think about starting a new year, take some time to reflect on how 2022 can be your best year yet. Prayerfully consider the following questions:
- What about my life in 2021 was an example of careful and wise living?
- What about my life in 2021 was an example of careless and unwise living?
- What strategies/schedule/practices can I implement that will help me to practice wise Christian living in 2022?
I know the Lord will lead and empower us to walk wisely; I pray we are diligent to follow His lead.