My social media feeds are constantly bombarded with advertisements that promise to make make me better, faster, stronger, healthier, more attractive, less anxious, better educated, a better parent, and a list of other attributes that I obviously need to work on. Even when avoiding that clutter, there are aspects of life that I still know need to be improved and I resolve to work on.
But broken resolutions usually do not fail because my intentions were weak. They fail because my habits were stronger. I think most Christians know what they ought to do; the real struggle is doing it consistently. The path to victory is not found in emotional moments, dramatic promises, or a sudden burst of enthusiasm. It is found in the steady, Spirit-empowered pursuit of holiness.
Scripture never presents sanctification as an overnight transformation. Justification is immediate. The moment a sinner trusts in Jesus Christ, he is declared righteous before God. Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT). But sanctification—the process of becoming like Christ—is the work of a lifetime.
Too often, we expect instant maturity. We want victory without struggle, holiness without discipline, and growth without effort. But God has ordained a better way. Spiritual maturity is cultivated through daily obedience. It is forged in the ordinary routines of prayer, Scripture, worship, and faithful service.
Paul makes this clear when he exhorts Timothy: “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7, NLT). That word “train” carries the image of an athlete preparing for competition. No athlete becomes excellent by accident. Excellence requires repeated practice, sacrifice, and perseverance, and the Christian life is no different.
Don’t confuse this discipline with legalism. Legalism tries to earn God’s favor; discipline flows from already possessing it. We do not strive in order to be accepted. We strive because we are accepted in Christ. Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.
The writer of Hebrews echoes this: “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NLT). Holiness requires pursuit. It demands intentionality.
The battle begins in the mind. Paul commands, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2, NLT). Lasting change always starts internally before it becomes visible externally.
Sinful patterns were not developed overnight, and they will not disappear overnight. For years, perhaps decades, we have trained ourselves in certain attitudes, reactions, and behaviors. Those old pathways must be replaced with new ones shaped by the truth of God’s Word.
This is why regular exposure to Scripture is indispensable. The psalmist asked, “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word” (Psalm 119:9, NLT). Followed by, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11, NLT).
Bible reading is good. Bible study is better. Meditation is better still. But obedience is where transformation happens. Truth must move from the page into the heart, and from the heart into the life.
The Holy Spirit uses the Word we store within us. He recalls Scripture in moments of temptation, weakness, and decision. Jesus promised, “When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26, NLT).
But the Spirit does not usually remind us of what we have never learned. We must do our part. There is no substitute for disciplined time in God’s Word.
Prayer, too, is essential. Through prayer we confess our weakness, receive divine strength, and align our hearts with God’s will. Without prayer, resolutions just become self-reliance wearing religious clothing.
A holy life life is both dependent and disciplined. Paul captures this balance: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13, NLT). Because God works in us, we must work out our salvation with reverence and diligence.
John tells us about the glorious end of this lifelong pursuit in my most favorite of favorite scriptures: “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2, NLT). Our present struggle is moving toward a certain and glorious destination—complete likeness to Jesus Christ.
This pursuit is not grim drudgery. It carries both present and eternal reward. Paul writes, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8, NLT).
Holiness blesses us now. It brings peace, joy, freedom, and usefulness. It also prepares us for eternity.
John Wesley often emphasized that holiness is the end purpose of redemption. God saves us not merely to forgive us, but to transform us. He intends to restore His image within us. This is the great hope of every believer.
Our ultimate goal is nothing less than Christlikeness. Paul wrote that God’s purpose is “to make them become like his Son” (Romans 8:29, NLT). One day, this work will be complete.
Until then, we train. We fight. We persevere.
Broken resolutions are overcome not by stronger willpower, but by the habit of daily surrender, Spirit-empowered discipline, and unwavering focus on Jesus Christ. The Christian who consistently feeds on Scripture, prays fervently, and walks in obedience cannot help but grow.
Are you training for holiness? Are you pursuing godliness with determination?
The prize is worth every effort. For one day, we will stand before the Father, complete in Christ, conformed perfectly to His image, and hear those glorious words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23, NLT). May it be so!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org