DAILY RENEWAL

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being RENEWED DAY BY DAY For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

At baptism, every soul is renewed, as Jesus washes our sins away, giving us a new life (Acts 22:16). In becoming disciples and after baptism, Disciples of Jesus are called through the scriptures to live lives of daily renewal and restoration, which sustains their spirit and keeps them from “burning out”, backsliding, “walking away or stumbling” (Matthew 26:31), or even worse, “falling away” (Hebrews 6:6). There are clear signs displaying when daily renewal is taking place and when it is not. You can tell the heart of a church by its singing. You can tell how deep the convictions of the church are by the giving. You can tell the commitment of a church by how many people show up early. You can tell the amount of love in the church by how they take care of those who are weak. If we are to have the type of “Thanksgiving” about our lives as Disciples of Jesus, we need “daily renewal!”

God encourages us to run the Christian race with great determination. Racers “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). In a world full of people who are sick of experiencing religion riddled with hypocrisy and mediocrity, following Christ often commands little attention. On the contrary, God’s word offers Christianity as the greatest challenge, with the greatest costs, but also with the greatest reward – eternal salvation. God gives us four keys to running the Christian race when he says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

1. STRICT TRAINING: Followers of Jesus must train uncompromisingly to be like Christ. Each shortcoming and sin must be dealt with on a day to day basis if we expect to run unencumbered by guilt and other consequences of sin. Yes, the training is strict, but a runner’s reward always makes training worthwhile.

2. RUN WITH PURPOSE (AIM): Followers of Jesus must clearly understand the race’s purpose – to see every person on earth win the prize of salvation. Christians who neglect this single-minded focus will feel aimless, bored, or resentful when called to the full commitment Jesus commands of His followers.

3. MAKE YOUR BODY YOUR SLAVE: Followers of Jesus must be known for sacrifice and joyful perseverance. In a world of remote controls, reclining chairs, lavish vacations, massage parlors, and other amenities, modern Christianity often reeks of self-indulgence, “being lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (1 Timothy 3:4), and self-righteousness attitudes which become the very reason many unbelievers continue to not believe. Churches which preach and condone the doctrines of profit and an “easier life” may forever close the hearts of millions outside of Christ. Jesus willingly laid down his life in an ultimate sacrifice for the undeserving – us. Our world desperately needs Christians who are willing to follow in their Master’s footsteps, drinking the cups of service and sacrifice. Only dedicated examples of love, sacrifice, and perseverance will attract this lost world to Christ.

4. RUN TO WIN: Followers of Jesus must do more than run the race; they must win the race – or everything they do is in vain. It would be generous to say the Christian world is mediocre when it comes to commitment in church attendance, Bible study, prayer, and reaching out to convert the lost. Programs flourish in number, yet congregations struggle to grow. One might even say that the Christian world in large resembles the lost world – which I believe many should look long and hard to find the answer to why their churches most often produce nothing more in the lives of their members than a good feeling, which usually fades before lunch after church is eaten. Even dedicated individuals may struggle to be fruitful in all areas of their lives. The question arises: “How do we truly make a breakthrough and become victorious, fruitful Christians?” A marathoner knows that in those last few agonizing miles, ability and training are not as critical as sheer determination and the will to persevere. Jesus set a pace for all time by shunning every possible excuse and pressing on to complete victory on the cross. Jesus knew no pain because His renewal each day prepared him for the pain. He had no contingency procedures in case of failure. Today. we too must keep our eyes centered on the goal. Like Jesus we must have no other plan. Like Jesus, we must press on amidst the threat of failure. Only a decisive restoration of this Christ-like determination in our lives will empower us to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given us – the task of evangelizing the nations in this generation – and in every generation to come!

Without Daily Renewal, it is impossible to run the spiritual race in the manner God calls us to – applying to the 4 keys in our daily lives. No one can continue to be in Strict Training or Beat their Body and make it their Slave without daily renewal. Neither can we Run With Purpose or Run to Win, during tough times if there is no daily renewal. Christians who don’t get renewed daily don’t get strength to see the great victories God has in store for them and they end up pursuing joy from their own personal victories, rather than their daily renewal and restoration. When we get this place – as all Christians do at some point – we like the world will turn to finding temporary renewal through our perceived accomplishments at work, in our marriage, our children, personal crusades, or through benevolent work to feel renewed. Even spiritual ambitions of leadership can become a quest for seeking baptisms and spiritual victories to find renewal. We’re always looking for the next conversion or the next transforming talk. Without the Lord leading us, renewing us, and restoring us we will once again become sheep without a shepherd.

Today, join with me in running the spiritual race of following Jesus as a follower who is renewed day by day.

Let us be renewed daily as we are constantly in prayer.

Let us be renewed daily as “Bereans” who are always in the Word of God.

Let us be renewed as we help and teach each other, strengthening one another using the
scriptures.

Let us be renewed daily through our purpose, not by our purpose.

The degree to which we are renewed each day is the degree to which we will renew this world!

 

Ron Harding, Lead Evangelist