Actions to Habits to Lifestyles

We all scroll through instagram, tik tok, or facebook.  And these things can definitely be a burden.  Information that is irrelevant to anything we’re doing pops up and bombards us.  But there are little gems that can come from these feeds if we have properly rigged the algorithm.  And one of those things popped up on me.  

I came across an interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger and he was asked the question why does he still go to the gym at age 70 or whatever it is. He replied “Why do I eat? Why do I sleep? I did that 20 years ago.” He continues to lift because it is who he is.  It's a part of his lifestyle.  Fitness is so ingrained in him that it has become him in some sense.  

I resonate with this because it should be how the christian life is lived.  At first it is difficult. When we submit our lives to him, by the power of the Holy Spirit we are changed into new creations. We see life through an entirely different lens.  Our minds are open to another class of living.  It can be daunting because we begin to recognize all the sin that entangles us.  But by the power of the Holy Spirit we begin to overcome.  We begin to see those sins, repent, and lean on Christ to overcome.  We lean on Christ through his body (the church/community), through his speech (scripture) and our conviction (Holy Spirit power).  As we do this we become more holy.  We look more like Jesus.  And as the days grow shorter on this earth for us this begins to be a little easier.  It becomes a natural part of who we are.  We repent and lean on Christ, we repent and lean on Christ.  

So if you’re struggling now with some sin, begin this new year to break the chains by starting a discipline of repenting and leaning on Christ and his Spirit so that you can overcome. Let him guide you to restoration through repentance and community.  Then continue in this discipline (and the disciplines to lean on Christ) so that these actions just become a part of who you are.

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6  

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8