And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Corinthians 4:15–16 (NLT)
Famed football coach, Lou Holtz, said, “In this world you're either growing or you're dying so get in motion and grow.” Others have expressed this idea as well, but nevertheless it is a truth that we ignore at our peril.
As long as we are in this life, we should make it our objective to keep moving forward and upward. In this regard, it is dangerous to be content. Paul did not tolerate the status quo in his own life: No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT)
Continual renewal does not come without a cost. But then again, is there anything worthwhile that does not come without a cost? There is a temptation to think that we have come far enough, or that we are holy enough, or even that we have changed enough.
How many churches, or ministries, are dying, or have died because they refused, or were unable to engage in continual renewal? Resistance to growth is a death sentence. I can still hear my grandfather saying, “Upward And onward!” Let us examine a few causes of our failure to be involved in continual renewal.
An Unwillingness to Die
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. John 12:24–25 (NLT)
The cost of continual renewal is dying to self on a daily basis. Even though these are the words of Jesus, our natural minds deem this to be counterintuitive. It is hard to take Jesus at his word because we treasure our lives, and do not want to lay them down.
Another word for continual renewal is revival. A. W. Tozer put it this way, “How much does revival cost? Absolutely nothing and absolutely everything-that is how much it will cost. It will cost not one dime, and it will cost everything we have.”
What is more tragic? To never really consider the cost of following Jesus, or to count the cost, and determine that the price is higher than we want to pay? Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 (NLT)
There is another way of looking at counting the cost. Instead of just looking at the cost of following Christ, contemplate the cost, to us and others, of not giving up our own way, and following him. Recall the reaction of the young man who came to Jesus but was unwilling to pay the price: At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:22 (NLT)
Have You Come Far Enough?
The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. Proverbs 15:24 (NLT)
I often recall the words of that hymn, “Higher Ground,” composed by Johnson Oatman Jr.
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev'ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
These words flowed out of a heart that was not content to merely mark time or abide in a pleasant valley or plateau. Just like the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3, every day it should be our aim to ascend to higher ground. The second stanza amplifies the passion and drive that separates those with a desire from the complacent:
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
In the history of Reformation and revival, it is sad to see how frequently God’s people were content with what they had received to that point, so they set up their tents and remained. The Reformation was a wonderful time in church history, but someone once noted that the problem was “they stopped reforming.”
Don’t ever get to the point where you think that you have all truth, and all revelation. In the history of revival, it has been noted frequently that the fiercest opponents of the next move of God, were those who participated in the previous move of God. Until the culmination of all things, or when the Lord calls us home, there is always more to receive.
New Things
You have heard my predictions and seen them fulfilled, but you refuse to admit it. Now I will tell you new things, secrets you have not yet heard. Isaiah 48:6 (NLT)
Our God is a God of new things. He makes us his new creation. It is God who puts a new song in our hearts. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). When we are weary and carrying a heavy load, he gives us his yoke, which is easy (Matthew 11:28-30). When we wait upon him, he renews our strength (Isaiah 40:31).
If God is the God of the new, why are we adverse to new things? Yes, there are things we can learn from the past. There are even things that we can treasure, but the danger is that we will miss what God is doing as he is making all things new.
Continual renewal is sparked by the realization that we have not yet arrived. Each and every day, we should live with the expectation that God is going to show us new things, teach us new things as we aim for new levels of commitment and devotion to him. Renewal and revival should never stop, and it doesn’t have to as long as we are hungry for more of him.
Steve Ekeroth