Resolution or Revolution?

Resolution or Revolution?

RESOLUTION – Synonyms: decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determinedness, firmness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, determination, stick-to-itiveness

If you haven’t been under a rock, you’ve probably been asked about, read about, heard about or even made your own New Year’s Resolutions.

We resolve (decide to):

Lose weight, exercise every day, read our bible more, write more, eat better, be a better WHATEVER!

And for most of us who make resolutions every year…we make ‘em. Then we break ‘em.

Over time, our resolution becomes a type of revolution.

One simple definition of REVOLUTION is this: NOUN – a single complete turn (axial or orbital).

In other words – Round and round we go – and end up right where we started. And much of the time, we end up WORSE than when we started. So why do we keep going round and round with that cycle? Is there no way to end it?

BUT WAIT!

There are other definitions for the word REVOLUTION.

According to Websters:

Revolution (noun):

a: a sudden, radical, or complete change

b: a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

c: activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation

d: a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm <the Copernican revolution>

Focusing on definitions A and D… That’s a totally different way of thinking and doing things!

When we “resolve” to do things differently, we are deciding we are going to make a change.

But when we REVOLT against the old way of doing things… THERE IS AN ACTUAL CHANGE… A REVOLUTION.

It wasn’t the American RESOLUTION, was it? No.

It was the American REVOLUTION.

It wasn’t the French RESOLUTION.

It was the French REVOLUTION.

Nations were forever changed.

Lives were forever altered.

Kingdoms were upheaved from their foundations and life as it had been… was no more.

Sounds scary, doesn’t it?

But new life sometimes is.

If we are stuck in a cyclic revolution – we are just that. STUCK.

But if we move into the next definition of the word “REVOLUTION – then everything changes. We don’t have to “resolve” to make change happen – we just need to follow the greatest Revolutionist in history. And in so doing, several things will happen:

1. We will be changed by Revolutionary Love.

2. And that Revolutionary Love will change the world.

ROMANS 12

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b]do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c]Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d] says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[e]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.